Prison Officer Jackson Kuria Kihara, widely known as Shakur the Cop, is not backing down, even as he receives half his salary following his recent interdiction. Shakur, who gained popularity for his vocal stance against the Finance Bill, has shed light on the underlying fear that drives police officers to flout the law.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Friday, August 9, Shakur asserted that many officers follow orders, even when they know them to be unlawful, out of fear of losing their jobs. "Like most people, police usually fear losing their job," he asserted.
He added, "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, who was interdicted last month after being photographed holding a placard during the anti-Finance Bill protests, continued to voice his belief in accountability. "We all are citizens of Kenya, and if the politicians are doing something wrong, we should be able to correct them. That’s the Kenya that we want, that’s the Kenya that we want to live in," he added.
The officer's troubles began last month when he was pictured boldly protesting the Finance Bill in Nairobi. He carried a placard denouncing the bill and the high cost of living, a move that led to his arrest near Parliament Buildings on July 9.
His participation in the protests, while in uniform, prompted Kamiti Maximum Security Prison to interdict him, citing a violation of rule 124.
Despite the consequences, Shakur remains unapologetic. "I didn't go to protest. I was just pictured with placards," he clarified, adding that his actions were aimed at seeking justice for those killed during the protests.
Further stating, "I was demanding justice for the people who were peacefully demonstrating and got killed."
Shakur's actions have ignited a broader conversation about the rights of public servants to engage in political activism. His case raises questions about freedom of expression in Kenya, particularly for those in uniform.
Shakur, who is now receiving half his salary while the case is ongoing, remains defiant. "I'm still a cop, but I'm interdicted. So I was interdicted like a month ago. Right now, I'm receiving half of my salary until the case is concluded," he said.
He also rebuffed any notion that his actions were unconstitutional. "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. But being loyal doesn't mean I can't speak up when something is wrong. And that's what I feel like I'm doing."
As Shakur’s case unfolds, it has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over the balance between duty and the right to protest, especially within the ranks of Kenya’s law enforcement.
