NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 6 – Silhouettes cartoonist Gideon Kibet, popularly known as Kibet Bull, has been found alive after being abducted in Nairobi on December 24, 2024.
Renowned for his viral caricatured silhouettes of President William Ruto, Kibet’s disappearance had sparked widespread concern over alleged politically motivated abductions in Kenya.
Kibet was reportedly taken by suspected security officials shortly after meeting Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah at the senator’s Nairobi office. His family confirmed his safe return on Monday, noting that he has since traveled back to Nakuru.
In a post on the social media platform X, Kibet revealed that he had been abandoned in the Luanda area of Vihiga County around 3 a.m. Stranded and unsure of his next steps, he reportedly attended a local “disco matanga” (overnight funeral dance) before securing a bus ticket to return home.
The government has denied involvement in Kibet’s abduction, with prominent leaders accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies of orchestrating the alleged disappearances to gain public sympathy.
Kibet’s release comes amid a spate of abductions reported across the country, with several individuals reappearing under unclear circumstances. In the past week, at least five other missing persons were reported to have been released after being taken by unknown individuals.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recently reported an alarming rise in cases of abduction and enforced disappearances. According to the commission, 82 cases have been documented since June 2024, with 29 individuals still unaccounted for.
President William Ruto’s administration has faced mounting pressure to address the issue. During a recent address, the president directed the National Police Service to investigate and provide answers to families of the missing persons.
“The National Police Service, being an independent body, is responsible for conducting investigations into these incidents,” Ruto said while attending a funeral in Bungoma County last Friday.
Human rights organizations have condemned the abductions, calling for greater accountability from security forces and political leaders. Kibet’s safe return has brought relief to his family and supporters but has also intensified calls for transparency and action to prevent further disappearances.
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