Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich has been found safe near Masinga Dam, about nine hours after armed men allegedly abducted him while he was travelling to Nakuru.
The media company confirmed his safety in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, bringing to an end hours of uncertainty over the whereabouts of the editor.
According to the Standard Group, Kiprotich was found dumped near Masinga Dam after he was taken from the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on Tuesday night.
The media company said the incident happened shortly before 9:20pm as Kiprotich travelled to Nakuru.
“The Standard Group PLC confirms that shortly before 9:20 pm this evening, our Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, was abducted along the Gilgil–Nakuru road while travelling to Nakuru,” the company said in an earlier statement.
The Group later confirmed that Kiprotich had been found safe, saying he was dumped near Masinga Dam approximately nine hours after the alleged abduction.
'Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich found safe, dumped near Masinga Dam nine hours after he was abducted along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road by armed men,' the statement read.
His disappearance had sparked concern within the media organisation after his whereabouts remained unknown following the reported abduction.
The Standard Group had condemned the incident and called for his immediate and safe release as efforts to establish his whereabouts continued.
The company said the incident was the second time Kiprotich had been targeted in as many months.
On 27 June 2026, the Standard Group said armed men in a Toyota Probox attempted to seize Kiprotich from his car as he drove to work in Nakuru.
According to the company, Kiprotich escaped by locking his doors and driving away.
The Standard Group said the June incident came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised the Group over its coverage.
It further claimed that its investigations had traced the vehicle involved to the National Police Service's Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
“No one has ever been held to account for it,” the company said.
Following Tuesday night's incident, the Group said it did not believe the latest development was a coincidence, noting that Kiprotich had been at the forefront of its editorial output, including reporting that scrutinised the conduct of the State.
The company said the latest abduction “bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job”.
It also called for a prompt, transparent and independent investigation into the incident and the June 27 attempt.
The Standard Group further called on IPOA, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the Law Society of Kenya and the Media Council of Kenya, among others, to demand answers.