The Standard Group has demanded the immediate release of Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, who it says was abducted along the Gilgil–Nakuru road on Monday night.
In a statement issued on September 1, 2026, the media house said Kiprotich was taken shortly before 9.20pm while travelling to Nakuru.
His whereabouts remained unknown at the time of the statement.
“The Standard Group PLC confirms that shortly before 9:20pm this evening, our Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, was abducted along the Gilgil–Nakuru road while travelling to Nakuru,” the company said.
“We do not know where he is as we issue this statement.”
The Group said the incident was the second time Kiprotich had been targeted in two months.
It said armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox vehicle attempted to seize him from his vehicle on June 27 as he drove to work in Nakuru.
Kiprotich reportedly escaped after locking his car and driving away.
The Standard Group further alleged that its investigations linked the vehicle used in the June incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and police had not responded to the latest claims at the time the statement was issued.
“Tonight, that threat has been carried out,” the Group said.
Standard Group CEO Chaacha Mwita said the company believes Kiprotich was targeted because of his work as a journalist.
“Mr Kiprotich has been at the forefront of our editorial output, including reporting that has scrutinized the conduct of the State, and tonight’s abduction bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job,” Mwita said.
The company also alleged that the abduction could be linked to individuals within the state seeking to intimidate the media house.
The Group said any state involvement would amount to an attack on press freedom and constitutional protections on freedom of expression and the media under Articles 33 and 34.
“We say this plainly and without equivocation: the Standard Group holds the State responsible for Alex Kiprotich’s safety and his life, and for anything that happens to him while he remains missing,” the statement said.
The media house is demanding Kiprotich’s immediate and unconditional release, as well as an independent investigation into both the latest incident and the June 27 attempted abduction.
It also called for stronger protection of journalists in Kenya.
The Group urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Law Society of Kenya, Media Council of Kenya and Committee to Protect Journalists to intervene.
“We will keep the public informed as we learn more, and we will not let this matter quietly fade from view,” Mwita said.
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