Former Kenya Prisons Service officer Jackson Kihara, popularly known as Cop Shakur, has come forward to claim that he was unlawfully dismissed from service. Known for his bold activism and outspoken stance on government issues, Cop Shakur now vows to take legal action against the state, declaring that his dismissal was unjust and politically motivated.
The former prison warden alleges that his troubles began after he openly criticised government policies and joined Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill 2024. His participation in public demonstrations and consistent social media activism reportedly did not sit well with the authorities. What followed, according to him, was a series of punitive actions—suspension, interdiction, and multiple postings to hardship areas, despite his repeated requests to resign being declined.
On his social media pages, Shakur shared news of his official dismissal and stated that his lawyer is already preparing to sue the government. His post drew widespread attention, triggering mixed reactions from the public. While some praised his courage and patriotism, others suggested that he had gone too far in criticising the very system that employed him.
Among the reactions were those who encouraged him to continue his activism, insisting that his sacrifice would eventually pay off. Some saw his removal from service as a blessing in disguise, urging him to explore other paths, including content creation or even modelling, given his public appeal. Others, however, criticized his approach, saying that he should have resigned instead of challenging the system from within. A few also questioned his qualifications and motives for joining the Prisons Service in the first place, pointing to systemic corruption in recruitment processes.
The situation escalated further when Shakur was arrested in Naivasha on March 22. He was found in possession of a toy gun, which authorities seized to determine whether it could be classified as a firearm. He was detained for investigation, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) requesting additional time to examine the item. His lawyer strongly opposed the prolonged detention, arguing that he should have been presented in court within the legally required period. Nevertheless, the court allowed the DCI more time to conduct their inquiries.
During his court appearance, Shakur made a statement with his attire—wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of the late Jacob Juma, another controversial figure known for challenging the government.
Despite the growing legal and professional pressure, Shakur remains defiant. He has already declared his intention to run for the Kikuyu parliamentary seat, indicating a shift toward a more political role in his fight for justice and reform. Whether his legal efforts will succeed or if his activism will win him public office remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—he has no intention of backing down.
