The abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich has sparked fresh concern over the safety of journalists, with the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) demanding an immediate investigation into the incident.
Kiprotich was seized by armed and masked men along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on Tuesday night and later found alive near Masinga Dam in Machakos County in the early hours of Wednesday.
Footage of the incident shows several armed men surrounding his vehicle before ordering those inside to lower the window and come out. Kiprotich was then taken away by the men.
CJAK said it was relieved that the journalist had been found alive but expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
“A journalist should not be abducted for doing his job,” the association said.
The journalists’ lobby said the incident raised wider concerns about the safety of media workers, particularly those covering political and public affairs.
It said the latest case should not be viewed on its own, pointing to a series of attacks, threats and intimidation involving journalists in recent months.
CJAK cited the July 16 attacks on journalists covering the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Nyandarua County. The Star photojournalist Enos Teche was among those attacked, with the journalist assaulted and his camera forcibly taken.
The association also raised the case of Nation Media Group journalists who were attacked by armed, masked men while covering the election.
It further cited the August assault on AFP journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro as they covered a political rally in Homa Bay.
“The situation remains worrying in 2026,” CJAK said in its assessment of the state of press freedom in the country.
The association also referred to Media Council of Kenya data showing that 612 cases of press-freedom violations have been recorded since 2013.
Kiprotich’s case has drawn added concern because it came about two months after another attempt to seize him in Nakuru.
CJAK said the earlier incident should also be subjected to a full investigation.
“That incident, too, must be fully investigated,” the association said.
The journalists’ body called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure the latest case is investigated “independently, professionally, and transparently”.
It also called for the people behind the abduction to be identified and prosecuted, regardless of their identity or position.
CJAK said journalists and other Kenyans are protected by the Constitution, citing Article 29, which guarantees the freedom and security of every person.
It also pointed to Articles 33 and 34, which protect freedom of expression and the freedom and independence of the media.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) separately called for immediate, thorough and transparent investigations into Kiprotich’s abduction.
MCK said the video footage showed the journalist appearing “extremely fearful, intimidated and threatened”. The council also noted that the incident was the second such ordeal faced by Kiprotich, with no progress reported in investigations into the earlier case.
The Media Owners Association (MOA) also joined calls for a quick, independent and transparent investigation.
“No journalist should be abducted, threatened or interfered with for doing their work,” MOA Chairperson Agnes Kalekye said.
Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita confirmed that Kiprotich was found at about 6.30am near Masinga Dam.
Mwita said the journalist was “safe, though understandably shaken by the ordeal”.