NAIROBI, Kenya- Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich has been found safe after spending about nine hours in the hands of armed men who abducted him along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road on Tuesday night.
The media house confirmed on Wednesday morning that Kiprotich was found near Masinga Dam in Machakos County, hours after he was forcibly taken while travelling to Nakuru.
He had been dumped in the area before seeking refuge at a nearby household. A Standard Group team led by Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita later located him at about 6:30 am.
The Standard Group said Kiprotich was safe but visibly shaken following the ordeal.
His recovery brought an end to an overnight search that began after the media house announced that he had been abducted shortly before 9:20 pm.
The circumstances surrounding his release, including the identity of his captors and where he was held, remain under investigation.
Second incident in two months
Kiprotich’s latest ordeal comes just over two months after he survived another reported attempt to abduct him.
On June 27, armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox allegedly tried to seize him as he drove to work in Nakuru. He escaped by locking his vehicle and driving away.
The Standard Group previously said its investigations traced the vehicle used in that incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, although no one had been held accountable.
The Committee to Protect Journalists had also called for an investigation into the June incident, which occurred shortly after President William Ruto publicly criticised The Standard Group over its coverage.
Standard demands investigation
Following Kiprotich’s safe recovery, the Standard Group said it remained concerned about the circumstances surrounding his abduction and would continue pushing for accountability.
The media organisation had earlier demanded his immediate and unconditional release and called for a prompt, transparent and independent investigation into both the latest incident and the June attempt.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has also condemned the abduction and called for the arrest and prosecution of officers it says were responsible.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of journalists in Kenya, particularly amid allegations of abductions and attacks targeting critics and media workers.
