The High Court has released Jackson Kihara, famously known as Cop Shakur, and former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier Patrick Osoi on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 each after they were charged with suspected terrorism offences.
Speaking on Friday, August 8, Magistrate Richard Koech at the Kahawa Law Courts ordered their release from police custody, days after their arrest, on condition that they report to the authorities when summoned.
“Having considered the entire circumstances of this matter, I do allow the consolidated application allowing them a bond of Ksh200,000 with a surety of a similar amount, or a cash bail of Ksh50,000,” Koech stated.
The two, linked to the Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) group, were released together with police constable Hiram Kimathi after a successful defence led by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino.
Osoi was initially apprehended on Tuesday, July 29 and subsequently charged with terrorism and other felony offences. His associate, Cop Shakur, was then arrested on the following day in the afternoon, as he attempted to attend court in support of Osoi.
It is unclear when Kimathi, an officer who gained popularity after refusing to comply with a transfer order after opposing a 'shoot order' issued by his superiors, was arrested.
While revealing details of their arrest, detectives stated that the group was under active investigation for its alleged involvement in subversive activities.
Osoi, who gained attention after launching the Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) group, was taken into custody by heavily armed officers in an operation his communications team described as an “abduction”.
The former Special Forces soldier had earlier posted a statement explaining the purpose of the movement, saying it aimed to defend victims of extrajudicial killings and support officers sidelined for standing against illegal orders.
“Having served as a KDF Special Forces soldier, NIS officer, and US Army veteran, I took the solemn initiative of forming a movement dubbed Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI),” Osoi stated.
He revealed that the group comprised former officers who had been dismissed from duty for rejecting unlawful directives and standing with protestors during anti-government demonstrations.
“We will fight for every Kenyan mistreated by rogue police, for families of those killed, and for officers neglected by the very system they served. This is a fight for justice,” he asserted.
