UN insists Kenyan government to investigate Arshad Sharif's demise

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Monday summoned a detailed inquiry into the events that led to the killing of the senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif in Kenya.

The journalist was shot and killed on Sunday night October 23, by the Kenyan police, which authorities called a “mistaken identity” firing on the borders of the capital Nairobi. 

The police officials reported that his car drove through a police barrier without stopping even after officers opened fire in the Magadi area. Arshad’s death sparked outrage in Pakistan and several calls have been made from the Pakistan army, government officials, and political parties for an investigation. 

 “I saw the tragic reports about the incident,” said UN secretary-general’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in response to a question at the regular UN Headquarters meeting in New York.

He urged the Kenyan officials to investigate the incident in which he was killed. 

A day before, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price expressed condolences to the family and said, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Arshad Sharif” and also called for an inquiry of the journalist’s death. 

Ned also spoke about journalists’ right to freedom of expression. Praising Arshad’s work he said, “His work was known around the world”. 

 “We encourage a full investigation by the Government of Kenya into his death. It’s not entirely clear that we know all the circumstances at this point regarding what led to his death, but we do urge a full investigation,” the spokesperson said.