Kenyan journalist Alex Kiprotich seized by armed men

Kenyan authorities are urged to investigate the seizure of Standard Group editor Alex Kiprotich by armed men on September 1, 2026. The incident occurred after Kiprotich escaped a similar attack on June 27, when his car was intercepted by gunmen but he managed to flee. On September 1, four masked men armed with assault rifles blocked Kiprotich’s vehicle on a highway to Nakuru at around 9:20 p.m., dragged him into their car, and questioned him about his journalism and sources before abandoning him in a thicket near Masinga Dam at approximately 3 a.m. The location was about 230 kilometers southeast of Nakuru. Kiprotich’s wallet and 6,000 shillings (equivalent to US$47) were taken during the ordeal. Chaacha Mwita, Group CEO of the Standard Group, provided these details to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The Standard, one of Kenya’s largest news outlets, has been critical of President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections. KTN News, part of the Standard Group, stated that Kiprotich, who had been at the forefront of its reporting, was targeted in an attack possibly linked to state elements seeking to intimidate the media. The Standard reported identifying one assailant from dashboard camera footage as a police officer with the Operation Support Unit, citing an unnamed source. It noted that the Subaru used in the attack initially appeared government-owned but later records showed it linked to a privately owned Honda. Citizen TV also reported involvement of a shadowy police unit. KTN added that the assailants questioned Kiprotich about Gideon Moi, an opposition politician and son of former President Daniel Arap Moi, whose family owns the Standard Group. One assailant attempted to pull Kiprotich’s driver from the vehicle but failed due to the seatbelt, instead taking two phones before leaving. Mwita expressed sorrow over the attack, stating it contradicts Kenya’s claim to be a free country respecting media freedom under the constitution. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the Inspector General of Police ordered immediate investigations into the incident, including the identity of the armed individuals, and noted the recently created Anti-Abduction Unit would ensure justice. However, Nyaga declined to provide contact information for the unit when asked by CPJ via messaging app on Thursday. CPJ Africa Program Director Angela Quintal criticized authorities for failing to protect Kiprotich despite clear evidence of ongoing risk after the June attack, calling for an immediate, independent, and credible investigation into allegations of police involvement. She warned that anything less would deepen concerns about impunity for attacks on journalists and critics under President Ruto’s government. The source named in this report is the Committee to Protect Journalists.