Five young Kenyan men, including popular cartoonist Kibet Bull, have been found alive after disappearing in December, according to families and rights groups. Kenya has witnessed a wave of over 80 abductions in the past six months, allegedly linked to security agents targeting government critics, though authorities deny involvement.
Kibet Bull is known for memes that criticize President William Ruto; he announced his release on Monday having been dropped off far from Nairobi. Others freed include 24-year-old student Billy Mwangi and 22-year-old Peter Muteti who are said to be traumatized and under medical care.
Amnesty International Kenya welcomed the releases and urged the government to free all abductees and hold perpetrators accountable. At least 24 people remain missing.
The abductions spiked during anti-tax protests last year and after AI-generated images of the president circulated online. These disappearances were recently promised by President Ruto an end but public pressure as well as legal actions such as that filed by Law Society of Kenya demand justice still persists.