The Kenya Editors Guild has called for an independent investigation into the reported abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, saying the latest incident and an earlier attempt to seize him point to a worrying pattern of attacks against journalists and raise serious questions about the safety of the media in Kenya.
The Guild has also demanded investigations into alleged links between a vehicle used in the June incident and the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, saying the claims cannot be ignored as concerns grow over threats to journalists, media freedom and the public’s right to information.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Guild said it was “shocked, outraged and deeply perturbed” by the reported abduction, describing it as an escalation in the intimidation and targeting of journalists in Kenya.
Kiprotich was reportedly abducted shortly before 9.20pm on Tuesday while travelling along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road.
He was later found safe near Masinga Dam, about nine hours after he went missing.
The Standard Group said Kiprotich was taken from the road by armed men and later dumped near the dam.
The Editors Guild said the latest incident was particularly concerning because it followed another reported attempt to seize or harm the editor barely two months earlier.
On June 27, armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox reportedly tried to intercept Kiprotich as he drove to work in Nakuru.
He escaped by locking himself inside his vehicle and driving away.
According to the Standard Group, the June incident happened days after President William Ruto publicly criticised the media company over its coverage.
The company later said its own investigations had traced the vehicle used in the incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
However, no one had been held accountable over the alleged incident.
The Editors Guild said the claims surrounding the vehicle and the police agency were serious and required an independent probe.
It said the allegations “cannot be dismissed, explained away or buried in silence”, and called for an immediate and credible investigation.
“This is not simply an attack on one journalist. It is an assault on media freedom, freedom of expression, the public’s right to know and, ultimately, Kenya’s constitutional democracy,” the Guild said.
The Guild also linked the incident to the reported assault of two Agence France-Presse journalists, Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, while they were covering a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town.
It called for investigations into both the alleged abduction of Kiprotich and the assault of the two AFP journalists.
The Guild further urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to exercise its oversight role and ensure that any investigations and prosecutions arising from the incidents are handled with seriousness.
“The safety of journalists is non-negotiable. The freedom of the media is non-negotiable. And the public’s right to know is non-negotiable,” the Guild said.
It called on President Ruto and State agencies to ensure that those behind the alleged attacks are identified and held to account.