A vehicle at the centre of the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Shariff by the police in Kajiado has been recovered.
The vehicle, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van registration number KDJ 700F, had been reported missing at Pangani Police station on Sunday, October 23, prompting an operation that, according to the National Police Service (NPS), led to the killing of the Pakistani scribe at a roadblock along Magadi Road.
Shariff, a renowned investigative journalist, died in a hail of police bullets on Sunday night, in what authorities termed as a case of 'mistaken identity'.
He was at the time being driven in a motor vehicle registration number KDG 200M by his brother, Khurram Ahmed.
Police say the driver defied orders to stop at the roadblock prompting General Service Unit (GSU) officers who had been alerted of the stolen vehicle to open fire on the journalist's car.
But in a surprising turn of events, it has emerged that the car, that had been reported missing by one Douglas Wainaina, may not have been stolen.
Police reports indicate the car was found at a petrol station in Kiserian, with Wainaina’s 26-year-old son Duncan on the steering wheel.
Wainaina had reported to detectives at Pangani Police Station that he had left his car in a parking at Ngara area with his son inside, but upon returning he found the car missing.
Apparently, Wainaina resolved to report the matter to the police after calls to his son went unanswered.
On the fateful day, Duncan is said to have driven off with his father's car to attend an event. He said he was unable to answer his father's calls because his phone was silent.
The young man was arraigned in court on Tuesday and charged with driving without a driving licence.
Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso confirmed on Monday that Shariff was fatally shot by a police officer.
The police boss said competent authorities are investigating the incident for 'appropriate action'.
"National Police Service regrets this unfortunate incident... The Ag. Inspector General on behalf of the Service condoles with the family and friends of the deceased," Shioso added.
Anger over Shariff's killing
Shariff's shooting in Kenya raised a furore in Pakistan with the country's entire top leadership including the Prime Minister, the President and even opposition leaders expressing utter shock.
President Arif Alvi termed Shariff's death a "great loss to journalism and Pakistan".
"May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss," tweeted the president.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the shocking news of Shariff's tragic death.
"I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif's tragic death. May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family."
The Prime Minister on Monday said he held a telephone conversation with President William Ruto about the tragic death of Shariff and requested him to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the shocking incident.
The President, Shehbaz revealed, promised to ensure a speedy probe into the incident as well as the return of the body of the victim to Pakistan.
"Just had a telephonic call with Kenyan President William Ruto about the tragic death of Arshad Shariff in Kenya. I requested him to ensure fair & transparent investigation into shocking incident.
"He promised all-out help including fast-tracking the process of return of the body to Pakistan," the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, Shariff’s body arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan yesterday afternoon ahead of his cremation on Thursday at a local cemetery, his widow Javeria Siddique was quoted as saying.
