Kibet Bull vows to go slow on social media activity after release by abductors
Cartoonist Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull has vowed to reduce his social media activity following his harrowing experience after suspected police officers abducted him.
Kibet, a vocal government critic, was allegedly abducted last month due to his outspoken views on X resurfaced yesterday in Luanda where he was dropped in the wee hours of the morning.
In an interview with a local television station, the cartoonist expressed fear for his safety and that of his family.
“After what happened, I have to minimise my activity on social media.” Kibet stated.
He however said he could not speak about his experience in the hands of his abductors in the last twelve days.
“I cannot talk about it now.” He said.
Kibet was freed yesterday alongside four others who had also been abducted under unclear circumstances.
In a social media post, he said he was dropped in Luanda, Vihiga County between 3 am and 4 am, adding he ended in a Disco Matanga as he did not know where to go and stayed until 6 am when he went to book a but ticket.
“They dropped me in Luanda, Vihiga, between 3 am and 4 am today. I didn’t know where to enter or book a room. Then the idea of a Disco Matanga came up, and I danced until 6 am when I went to book a ticket,” his post read.
The post, however, elicited reactions from Kenya Kwanza politicians and bloggers, who questioned how he could afford to dance after being held for two weeks.
“How do you party after you have been abducted? Where do you get the energy? How do you look so clean-shaven, still have money, and still go and afford a beer?”
“There is something terribly wrong,” the MP said during the Citizen TV morning talk show.
However, Kibet swiftly moved to counter the narrative.
“Government bloggers are using the Disco Matanga thing to push a narrative. Knocked on three houses to tell them about the incident but didn’t get a response; the other had fierce dogs,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Went to sit somewhere but saw unsafe, I then heard the sound system. I saw it could be helpful to attend and relax waiting for morning. I also wanted to stay away from the highway. Was just worried they could come back to check if I’m gone.”
Their release coincided with planned protests by activists to denounce forced disappearance and abductions in the country.
The abductions of youths have continued to spark widespread outrage with various human rights groups decrying the freedom of speech.
Last week, the court ordered the Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja to appear and explain the whereabouts of the abductees.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mulele Ingonga also directed the police to inform him of the status of investigations into claims of abductions and forced disappearances by January 1, 2025.
The families of Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Ronnie Kiplangat said their kin had contacted them.
Officials said Kiplagat was found in Machakos County while Kavuli, who was abducted in Ngong, was found in Kitale.
Peter Muteti was found in Nairobi CBD, and witnesses said he was disoriented and now recovering from home.
Stephen Imbisi is still missing and his whereabouts remain unknown.
