A Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) officer, Jackson Kuria Kihara, known by his alias “Cop Shakur,” has denied charges of publishing false information contrary to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act of 2018.
The officer is accused of using his social media platform to spread alarming claims that a cabinet secretary and the president are behind a series of abductions in Kenya.
On January 11, 2025, Kihara allegedly posted a message on his X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that the cabinet secretary of an undisclosed ministry, along with an individual identified only as “Ruto,” were responsible for the abductions.
The post, which was made at approximately 5:18 PM, stated: “This CS is an upcoming dictator.
He is the one responsible for the abductions together with Ruto,” and suggested that the information was well-calculated to cause public panic.
The charge sheet claims that Kihara, along with others not before the court, knowingly and unlawfully published false information that was likely to stir fear among citizens.
Despite the severe nature of the accusation, the specific identities of the citizens allegedly affected by the post, as well as the unnamed cabinet secretary referred to as a “dictator” and the “Ruto” allegedly involved in the abductions, were not revealed in the charge sheet.
Kihara, who was arrested at his residence in the staff quarters of Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, denied the charges during his appearance before Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe.
He requested lenient bail and bond terms, and was subsequently granted bail set at Sh100,000 with a surety of a like sum or a cash bail alternative of Sh50,000.
In addition, Kihara was required to provide a contact person who must be an employee of the government of Kenya.
The case is set for a pre-trial mention on February 17, 2025. While Kihara faces allegations related to inciting a mutiny and publishing false information, the charge sheet lists no specific witnesses or victims tied to the allegations.
The prosecution has named digital forensic experts and investigators as key witnesses, though their identities remain undisclosed.
Detective Constable Meshack Mutinda from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Serious Crimes Unit told the court that Kihara’s posts, which have allegedly incited mutiny within the disciplined services, are a serious national security threat.
Mutinda further claimed that Kihara, being a trained officer skilled in using firearms, poses a potential risk to the investigation process, though he did not elaborate on how this would interfere with the probe into the alleged cybercrimes.
Kihara’s case has drawn attention due to his position in the KPS, where he serves alongside his wife.
His social media activities, particularly the spreading of inflammatory claims about government officials, have raised concerns regarding the role of security officers in online incitement and the potential implications for national security.
