The story of Kibet Bull’s abduction has puzzled many Kenyans.
While some were skeptical about his claims, former National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer James Khwatenge has now provided clarity on the bizarre decision to dump Kibet at a Disco Matanga in Vihiga.
According to a post X by online personality Cornelius K Ronor, the officer, who served during the Moi era, where abductions were not uncommon, offers a unique perspective on the psychology behind such acts.
Khwatenge, who has firsthand experience in the world of intelligence and covert operations, explains that abductions, especially those meant for political or psychological purposes, are not always about physical harm.
According to him, the primary aim of such abductions is often to mentally torture the victim.
The abductors, having no intentions of killing their target, will usually drop them in a location where they won’t face immediate danger, but still remain psychologically disturbed.
In the case of Kibet Bull, Khwatenge asserts that the decision to drop him at a Disco Matanga at night wasn’t random.
The abductors were aware that the place, typically a hub for funerals and late-night gatherings, would be a relatively safe environment.
Night-time abductions usually take place under the cover of darkness, ensuring the victim is not easily recognized.
However, in Kibet’s case, it was crucial for the abductors to strike a delicate balance they wanted him to endure the mental strain of being away from his loved ones for an extended period, but they also wanted him to find some comfort upon his release.
The Disco Matanga setting, Khwatenge notes, was not only safe but also symbolic.
It provided a chance for Kibet Bull to encounter people his age, surrounded by familiar songs that could offer some emotional relief after his harrowing 14-day ordeal.
The social setting, where people from different walks of life converge to mourn and celebrate, gave him the opportunity to rejuvenate and regain some semblance of normalcy.
Khwatenge also emphasizes that dropping someone in such a public space during a funeral wasn’t just a safe bet for the victim’s protection, but a calculated move to avoid further complications.
Had Kibet been dropped in a more secluded village, he could have been accused of wrongdoing, even potentially facing further violence from locals who might have seen him as a threat or an outsider.
But a Disco Matanga, filled with familiar faces and an air of communal celebration, provided the perfect opportunity for Kibet to be left in relative peace while also suffering the lingering mental effects of his captivity.
The insight provided by James Khwatenge sheds light on the complex and chilling world of abductions.
It’s not always about physical harm; sometimes, the goal is to break a person mentally and emotionally.
And in the case of Kibet Bull, the choice to release him at a Disco Matanga was a strategic one, designed to ensure his survival, but at the same time, inflict a different kind of psychological toll that would haunt him long after the physical scars had healed.
