Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich Abducted

Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich has been abducted by unknown people while travelling along Kenya’s Gilgil-Nakuru Road, the company said. Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita said the incident happened shortly before 9:20 p.m. as Kiprotich travelled to Nakuru.

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That attempt came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised this Group over its coverage, and our own investigations traced the vehicle to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.

Mwita said it was the second time in two months that Kiprotich had been targeted. On June 27, armed men in a Toyota Probox allegedly tried to pull him from his car as he drove to work in Nakuru. Kiprotich escaped by locking the doors and driving away.

“That attempt came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised this Group over its coverage, and our own investigations traced the vehicle to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau,” Mwita said. “No one has ever been held to account for it. Tonight, that threat has been carried out.”

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No one has ever been held to account for it. Tonight, that threat has been carried out.

Mwita said Kiprotich had played a leading role in the group’s editorial coverage, including reports examining the conduct of the state. “We do not believe this is a coincidence. Mr Kiprotich has been at the forefront of our editorial output, including reporting that has scrutinised the conduct of the State, and tonight’s abduction bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job,” he said.

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We do not believe this is a coincidence. Mr Kiprotich has been at the forefront of our editorial output, including reporting that has scrutinised the conduct of the State, and tonight’s abduction bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job.

The company said the abduction could involve state elements seeking to intimidate the organisation into silence. It demanded Kiprotich’s immediate and unconditional release, along with an independent investigation into both the abduction and the June attempt. Mwita called on Kenya’s policing oversight and human rights bodies, the Law Society of Kenya, the Media Council of Kenya and the Committee to Protect Journalists to seek answers. He said Standard Group would hold the state responsible for Kiprotich’s safety and would keep the case in public view.

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We say this plainly and without equivocation: the Standard Group holds the State responsible for Alex Kiprotich’s safety and his life, and for anything that happens to him while he remains missing.