Jackson Kuria Kihara aka Cop Shakur, a prison officer, who was suspended for joining Kenyans in the anti-Finance Bill protests in June, has been arrested.
In a post on his official X, activist Boniface Mwangi revealed that Cop Shakur had been arrested on Wednesday, January 15, and taken to the office of the Director of Criminal Investigations.
According to the activist, police raided Shakur's home on Tuesday but did not find him.
"He had left his phone at home yesterday, and the police showed up but he wasn't there," Mwangi wrote.
However, the police were able to track him to Kamiti Prison on Wednesday morning through his phone after he switched it on.
"This morning, DCI tracked him after he got back his phone and switched it on," the activist continued.
Shakur took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that he had been arrested and taken to the DCI offices, though he did not reveal the reason for his arrest.
"I am being taken to DCI HQ," Shakur's tweet read.
The officer, who identifies himself as a former security officer and human rights activist, gained widespread attention during the Gen Z protests when he defied the odds and joined Kenyan youths in protesting against the Kenya Kwanza government.
He took to the streets with a placard bearing anti-Ruto slogans.
"I am doing this on behalf of a government employee who is tired of Zakayo but can't say anything because kazi itaenda," the placard held by Shakur read.
As a result of his actions against the government that employed him, Shakur's salary was halved as punishment. His participation in the protests while in uniform led Kamiti Maximum Security Prison to interdict him, citing a violation of rule 124.
In an interview with Citizen TV in August 2014, Shakur revealed 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.
Despite the consequences, Shakur remained 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.
Since then, Shakur has used his popularity to voice issues affecting Kenyans, including those that are critical of the government.
