The Standard Group has condemned the alleged abduction of its Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, demanding his immediate and safe release.
The media company said Kiprotich was abducted shortly before 9:20pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, while travelling to Nakuru along the Gilgil-Nakuru road.
In a statement signed by Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita, the company said it did not know Kiprotich’s whereabouts at the time of issuing the statement.
The incident comes just over two months after the journalist was allegedly targeted by armed men in a separate incident.
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According to the Standard Group, on June 27, 2026, armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox allegedly attempted to seize Kiprotich from his vehicle as he drove to work in Nakuru.
The journalist reportedly escaped by locking his car doors and driving away.
The Standard Group said the June incident came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised the media organisation over its coverage.
The company further claimed that its investigations had traced the vehicle used in the June incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, although no one had been held accountable over the alleged attempted abduction.
“Tonight, that threat has been carried out,” the Standard Group said.
The media house linked Tuesday night’s incident to Kiprotich’s editorial work, noting that he had been involved in reporting that scrutinised the conduct of the State.
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The company said the latest incident bore “all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job.”
The Standard Group further raised concerns that the incident could be connected to elements within the State seeking to intimidate the media organisation into silence.
It said that, if confirmed, the incident would amount to more than a crime against an individual, arguing that it would constitute an attack on constitutional freedoms of expression and the media.
The company invoked Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
“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,” the company said.
The media organisation has demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of Kiprotich.
It has also called for a prompt, transparent and independent investigation into his alleged abduction, as well as the June 27 incident.
The Standard Group is further demanding visible guarantees for the protection of journalists in Kenya.
The company has called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other stakeholders to join calls for answers and Kiprotich’s safe return.
The Standard Group said it would continue updating the public as more information becomes available.
“We will not let this matter quietly fade from view,” the company said.
