Cartoonist Kibet Bull Speaks After Abduction

Gideon Kibet, alias Kibet Bull, one of the two Nakuru brothers abducted two weeks ago, has revealed that he has no injuries after his release from the alleged abduction.

While speaking to the press for the first time since he went missing, Bull, who is behind the viral cartoons of President William Ruto, revealed that he was dropped off in Luanda between 3am and 4am. This is some 296 kilometers from Nakuru, where the cartoonist was based.

“I was dropped at a place I did not know at first. I walked and noticed I was in Luanda. I decided to wait somewhere until morning before making my journey home,” he told reporters on Monday night.

While responding to questions about suspected torture, Bull stated, “I have no injuries on my body except for exhaustion”.

He, however, refused to wade into what happened during his alleged abduction, insisting he wanted to be with family. “For now I cannot speak much abduction,” he told reporters.

The cartoonist, however, asserted, “Abduction is real; I can confirm that…I am urging the government to respect the freedom of speech and take people to court.”

Kibet Bull also revealed that his brother Ronny Kiplagat, whom unknown people also abducted, is safe in Nairobi. “Ronny is safe in Nairobi with friends,” he said.

Kiplagat was abducted on Saturday, December 21, after attending a church service at the Kikuyu Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he serves as a youth leader.

Days later, on December 25, Christmas Day, Kibet was also said to have been abducted after visiting the office of Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah in Nairobi.

Bull, also known by his ‘Yoko’ moniker on X, whose first action after release was a tweet, has been critical of the government through his art but intends to scale back his online activities for now.

Before his disappearance, the cartoonist had been set to join a group of around 20 other young people for further studies in Israel on 27 December. He now says he will confirm within a week whether or not he will leave the country for Israel.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday morning, Nelson Koech, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations of the National Assembly, questioned the abduction claims, insisting that the details do not add up.

“You cannot be released by abductors and still attend some disco in Luanda. It is impossible. And you have been away for 15 days, and you still look clean and comfortable to dance at a disco matanga,” he questioned.

He added, “Someone is playing a game.”