Pressure is mounting on authorities to investigate the alleged abduction of Standard Media Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, with human rights organisations demanding an independent probe and criminal accountability for those behind the incident.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Amnesty International Kenya on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kiprotich’s disappearance, including whether security officers were involved.
Kiprotich was reportedly abducted by armed and masked men shortly before 9.20pm on Tuesday while travelling along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road. He was found alive about nine hours later near Masinga Dam in Machakos County, where he had allegedly been dumped.
The Standard Group said Kiprotich was shaken but safe and was taken for medical attention.
KHRC called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, including commanders if officers are found to have been involved.
“Officers responsible, including their commanders, must be arrested and prosecuted without delay,” the commission said.
The commission said footage of the alleged abduction could help investigators identify those involved. It also linked the incident to wider concerns over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
KHRC said reports from previous victims had described operations involving heavily armed men wearing balaclavas, without identifiable police uniforms, and using Subaru vehicles, sometimes with fake number plates.
Amnesty International Kenya also called for an independent, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation, warning that the incident raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and media freedom.
“The circumstances surrounding Mr Kiprotich’s abduction are also deeply troubling for freedom of expression and media freedom,” Amnesty said.
The incident has also renewed scrutiny of a similar encounter involving Kiprotich on June 27, when the Standard Group said armed men attempted to seize him from his vehicle in Nakuru.
According to the media house, its investigations traced the vehicle used in that incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau. No one was held accountable over the incident.
The latest allegations have drawn condemnation from KANU, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and other media and political stakeholders.
The Standard Group has called for an independent investigation into both incidents and urged oversight bodies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), to seek answers.
Amnesty said the government should demonstrate its commitment to accountability following President William Ruto’s remarks during celebrations marking the 16th anniversary of the 2010 Constitution.
Ruto said credible allegations of human rights violations should be independently, thoroughly and transparently investigated.
The rights organisation said the Kiprotich case now presents an opportunity for the government to act on that commitment by identifying those responsible and ensuring they face the law.