Activist and former prison warden Jackson Kihara, popularly known as Cop Shakur, has shared an emotional account of his struggles since losing his job.
In a video he shared on his social media accounts on Friday, October 10, he revealed that he has faced severe financial difficulties, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Shakur opened up about reaching the lowest point in his life, saying he has lost nearly everything he once had.
"I’m at my lowest moment. I’ve lost everything. I’m in debt, I’ve been auctioned, I have an arrest warrant against me, and I can’t pay my bills or provide for my daughter. I’ve tried to stay strong, but life has been heavy," he said.
Shakur explained that his downfall was not directly caused by the job loss itself but by subsequent business challenges that worsened over time.
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"After losing my job illegally because of my activism, something I’ll never regret standing for, I had actually planned myself well. What I’m going through now has nothing to do with losing that job. Things got worse later because of the businesses I invested in," he added.
Shakur explained that losses that he suffered from his events and car hire businesses have left him with over Ksh1 million in debt.
"I've been surviving through events and my car hire business, but last year in December, I organized an event that failed badly because of the rain. I lost a lot of money. My cars also got into accidents and others broke down. That's how I ended up deep in debt over 1 million shillings," he further said.
Shakur admitted that he had contemplated suicide several times but survived each attempt.
"There was a time I felt so hopeless that I tried to take my own life not once, but several times. I swallowed pills, tried to suffocate myself, even tried hanging - but every time, I woke up. Maybe God wasn’t done with me yet," he stated.
The new development comes weeks after Shakur announced his exit from the Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) movement.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 27, he said his exit was not a rejection of the movement’s mission but a step aligned with his personal principles.
Shakur noted that he has communicated his decision to quit the movement to fellow members Patrick Osoi and Hiram Kimathi.
"After much reflection, I have decided to step away from the Fighting Brutality and Impunity movement. Leaving the FBI movement is not a rejection of its mission, but a choice of a new direction aligned with my principles.
"I have communicated with my fellow members, Patrick Osoi and Hiram Kimathi, about this decision. I remain committed to justice and peaceful reform, and I wish the movement well as it continues its work for a fairer society," he said.
Shakur’s exit from the movement came weeks after he was arrested over alleged links to criminal activities and possession of restricted items.
At the time of arrest, he was found wearing a red beret emblazoned with the FBI symbol, an item which authorities alleged could be tied to the group’s activities.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also arrested Osoi and Kimathi in separate operations.
The trio was, however, released on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 each after appearing before the Kahawa Law Courts.
"Today at Kahawa Law Courts, we secured the freedom of the FBI Team- Fighting Brutality and Impunity in Kenya. They were released on cash bail of Ksh50,000 each. A big thank you to all the Advocates who played a role in the release of Cop Shakur, Cop Kimathi, and Osoi," Embakasi East MP and lawyer, Babu Owino, said on August 8.
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