Renowned Pakistani Journalist Arshad Sharif Shot Dead by Police in Kenya

Renowned Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was on Sunday night shot dead by Kenyan police in what has been described as a case of “mistaken identity.”

Sharif was being driven to Nairobi by his brother Khurram Ahmed when they were signaled to stop by police officers at a roadblock in Magadi, Kajiado County before they opened fire at their vehicle, according to a report filed at Magadi police station.

"Before they reached the Kiserian-Magadi road, they found the road blocked using small stones and they decided to pass them. It was then they heard gunshots toward their vehicle directed from the front and rear. They did not stop and proceeded with the journey," reads the report in part.

Following the gunshots, Khurran phoned a Pakistani friend who resides in the area and he advised them to pass by his home.

"On arrival at the main gate, found his brother had died with a gunshot wound on the head which had penetrated from the back of his head and exited at the front side of his head," police said.

"Upon scrutiny of the said motor vehicle, it had a bullet hole on the left side of the windscreen on the side the deceased was sitting, two bullet holes on the rear left back screen, one bullet hole on the rear right door, four holes right side of the boot and one front right tyre that had been deflated. “

The scene was documented and Sharif’s body was moved to Chiromo mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Police said the sad chain started hours earlier when one Douglas Wainaina reported to Pangani police station that his car had been stolen and his son Dancan Kamau was in the car.

"It started when officers from DCI Starehe circulated a report of theft of a motor vehicle/abduction vide OB 70/23/10/2022 that one Douglas Wainaina parked his motor vehicle registration number KDJ 700F outside an electrical shop and left his son namely Dancan Kamau inside the said motor vehicle," reads the statement.

The son was later found at Olosuritia ACK Church within Kiserian but the vehicle was not found. Police said Sharif’s shooting was a matter of mistaken identity.

Reports indicate Sharif was in Kenya to work on a corruption case titled 'Behind Closed Doors' for people in high places and those who enable it.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since launched an investigation into the killing of the Pakistani journalist, promising to take action against the officers involved.