KENYA : The family of digital cartoonist Gideon Kibet, alias Bull, still holds onto the hope that their kin will be freed by his abductors.
Kibet went missing on Tuesday, December 24, after attending an event in Nairobi to which he had been invited by Busia senator and activist Okiya Omtatah.
The 23-year-old erupted to fame with his silhouette depictions likened to President William Ruto.
He was using his art as a form of anti-government activism, perhaps touching the raw nerves of the abductors believed to be state operatives and who monitored his movements.
His mother, Carol Mutai, said she was not aware of her son's activities on social media.
Seeming to absolve him, the distraught mother of 10 said her son might have erred due to inexperience and excitement experienced in childhood.
"He was a young boy, a 23-year-old. He might never have known what he was doing. I don't know what he wrote or did on social media," she said.
She revealed that Kibet was to join his peers from Egerton University for an educational trip to Israel, where he had been listed among the students in an exchange programme.
Carol said she had secured a loan to help facilitate her son's travel to the West Asian country.
She regretted that her son would miss such a life-changing opportunity due to the abduction.
"There are students who were waiting for him at the airport in Nairobi. Egerton organised the trip for him, and I took out a loan to cover other expenses. He was going to travel abroad to further his studies. So what will I do? Government, please free my children," she said.
Also missing is Kibet's younger brother, Ronny Lang'at.
Ronny went missing two days before Kibet.
His disappearance was booked under Thogoto Police Station in Kiambu county and was booked under OB06/25/12/2024.
The duo's disappearances add to the list of young Kenyans deemed critics who have been missing in the past seven days.
On December 21, bloggers Peter Muteti and Billy Mwangi were picked by unknown people in their respective locations.
Muteti was abducted in Nairobi's Uthiru area, and Billy in Embu.
They had supposedly posted content on social media, which authorities translated as offensive.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has assured Citizens of the East African Country that his government will put to an end the rising cases of abductions.
Speaking on December 27, 2024, Ruto said the government is committed to ensuring that every Kenyan, particularly the youth, are safe and guaranteed of their security.
However, Ruto appealed to Parents of the Youths to help instill Discipline in them, Stating that his administration will work with Security Agencies to do the rest.
" I want to ask parents, these children are our blessings from God. Every parent should take care of their children, and as a government, we will do our part. We are going to stop the abductions so that the Kenyan youths can live in peace." The President Said.
" But at the same time, they ought to be disciplined and responsible so that we can build our country together," Ruto added.
The Head of State reiterated that the Nation Building effort is a collective responsibly, urging everyone to play their part in Supporting the Kenya-Kwanza administration.
The President, was Speaking in Homa Bay County, where he had graced Governor Gladys Wanga's Football fete dubbed 'Governors Cup'
His remarks, Follow Widespread Outrage against the Government, Following Accusations of Alleged Abductions of Social Media Users in the Country.
A series of abductions targeting youthful Kenyans in recent times has sparked outrage in the country and growing condemnation of investigative agencies for either laxity or complacency.
Police have denied involvement and asked families with missing relatives to report to aid in the investigations.