Vocal social media personality George T. Diano has lost his job due to his frequent criticisms of Ruto’s administration, following reports that his employer received threats from state agents.
Diano has actively criticized Ruto’s government through his widely followed X account.
One week prior to his abduction, I had sent him payment for a completed project. The DCI intercepted the messages and fabricated a narrative to justify his abduction.
Upon learning of my association with an NGO, they accused my employer of financing Kibet and other online activists.
They threatened my employerwho is not Kenyan and does not engage on Xwith the closure of our organization, which has been operational since 2004. This silencing was orchestrated over funds unrelated to Kibet’s criticisms of the government.
I do not blame my employer for my wrongful dismissal, which was labeled as unpaid leave pending investigations; it was a decision that lacked thorough consideration.
I have attempted to persuade Kibet Bull to publicly deny the claims of funding from me, but he has become unresponsive despite assuring me yesterday morning that he would address it.
He has abandoned me, fully aware that I have no involvement in his online activism. If someone else is financing him, that is not my concern. I merely hired him for the same reason I engage other influencers, paying him alongside three others on the same day.
I am confident that I am not the only person who sent Kibet money that week; this is simply malicious. There are also claims that I am associated with Malema TV and that its chairman, Gilbert Kiptalam, is my father. Such allegations are unfounded and absurd.
I have never met Gilbert nor have any ties to Malema TV.
Malema TV has been actively involved in grassroots civic education and campaigns against William Ruto.
In any case, I do not engage in hostility; I focus on storytelling, advocating for good governance, and calling out this kakistocratic regime.
However, individuals from Kapseret and their allies have targeted me and other Kalenjins, particularly the Kipsigis opposed to Ruto’s presidency. Though I have faced significant challenges, I have accepted my circumstances.
Nevertheless, this will not diminish my resolve to fight for better governance.
I will continue to resist bureaucratic oppression despite intimidation and blackmail.
Kibet Bull needs to express his perspective; otherwise, I will regard him as an adversary and a government representative.
I ask for time to recover from the damage these individuals have caused me. I will return more resilient to continue the struggle. At the moment, I feel vulnerable and powerless, yet one must persevere.
