Prison Officer Jackson Kuria Kihara, better known as Shakur the Cop, is making headlines in Kenya for his defiant stand against the Finance Bill and the challenges he's facing as a result.
Shakur, who has recently been subjected to a pay cut and suspension from duty, is using his situation to highlight deeper issues within the police force and the broader realm of public service.
Shakur's troubles began in July when he participated in a protest against the Finance Bill in Nairobi.
He was photographed holding a placard that criticized the bill and the rising cost of living, which led to his arrest near Parliament Buildings.
His participation in the protest while in uniform violated internal rules, prompting Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, where he was stationed, to interdict him.
The prison administration cited rule 124 as the reason for his suspension, which has resulted in him receiving only half of his salary.
Despite these setbacks, Shakur remains resolute in his beliefs and continues to speak out. In a recent interview on Citizen TV, Shakur expressed his views on the pressures faced by police officers.
He revealed that many officers follow unlawful orders out of fear of losing their jobs. "Like most people, police usually fear losing their job," Shakur said.
He emphasized that this fear often compels officers to comply with orders they know to be wrong, rather than standing up for what is right.
Shakur’s position is clear: he believes that public servants should not be forced to act against their conscience. He argues that if officers were more willing to challenge unlawful orders, it would lead to a more accountable and just system.
"If they do the correct thing, they just follow orders. Some of the orders are unlawful, and as for me, I would not follow unlawful orders," Shakur explained.
His actions and subsequent suspension have sparked a broader conversation about the rights of public servants to engage in political activism. Shakur’s case raises important questions about freedom of expression in Kenya, particularly for those in uniform.
Shakur himself insists that his actions are in line with his understanding of the Constitution and are not an act of defiance against the government.
"There is nothing unconstitutional in what I'm doing. I've read the Constitution, and I understand it well. I'm not here to protest against the government; I'm still loyal to the President of Kenya," he said.
According to Shakur, being loyal does not mean remaining silent when witnessing injustice.
Shakur’s decision to protest was driven by his concern for the people affected by the Finance Bill and the high cost of living.
He clarified that his primary motivation was to demand justice for those who were killed during the protests, emphasizing that his actions were about seeking justice rather than opposing the government outright.
“I was demanding justice for the people who were peacefully demonstrating and got killed,” Shakur asserted.
The debate surrounding Shakur’s case is reflective of a larger issue within Kenya: the balance between duty and individual rights.
For many public servants, especially those in positions of authority like police officers, the line between professional responsibilities and personal convictions can be blurred.
Shakur’s situation has brought this issue to the forefront, encouraging a reexamination of how public servants can engage in political and social activism without fear of retribution.
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