IG Douglas Kanja Orders Immediate Probe Into Abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich
“We unequivocally condemn any act of kidnapping, abduction, or intimidation intended to interfere with press freedom or any other constitutional right,” Nyaga said.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered immediate and transparent investigations into the alleged abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich in Gilgil.
The National Police Service (NPS) said it had taken note of reports that Kiprotich was allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday night while travelling along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway and had moved swiftly to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the police service treats kidnapping and abduction with the utmost seriousness, describing the offences as a threat to the lives, liberty and security of Kenyans.
“The Inspector General of Police has accordingly ordered immediate investigations to determine what transpired, including the identity of the heavily armed individuals reportedly seen ordering occupants out of their vehicle,” Nyaga said in the statement.
The NPS said its Anti-Abduction Unit, established specifically to investigate abductions and disappearances, had taken up the matter and would work to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“We unequivocally condemn any act of kidnapping, abduction, or intimidation intended to interfere with press freedom or any other constitutional right,” Nyaga said.
The police service assured the public that the investigation into the Gilgil incident would be conducted transparently, stressing that no one was above the law.
Kiprotich was reportedly abducted shortly before 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday and later dumped near Masinga Dam, about 137 kilometres from Nairobi, at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday. He sought refuge at a nearby homestead before being located at about 6:30 a.m. by a team led by Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita. He was described as safe but shaken.
According to accounts shared by the journalist, he was seized by four masked men armed with AK-47 rifles travelling in a Subaru registered KDC-125E, a vehicle whose records indicate belongs to the government. The vehicle was reportedly fitted with a siren and was waved through police roadblocks without inspection.
The development comes amid growing condemnation of Kiprotich’s alleged abduction from political leaders, civil society and international press freedom organisations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also called for an immediate and credible investigation. CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal described the incident as a “shameful indictment” of the Kenya Kwanza administration, raising concerns over the safety of journalists and press freedom in the country.
“The attempt to forcibly disappear Alex Kiprotich, three days after President William Ruto railed against The Standard Group, reflects the growing dangers that journalists face in Kenya, despite the president’s earlier promise to allow the press to work freely,” Quintal said.
The New York-based press freedom organisation further expressed concern over what it described as an escalation in cases of abductions and enforced disappearances in Kenya.
Kiprotich’s abduction is the second time he has allegedly been targeted. On June 27, armed men in a Toyota Probox reportedly attempted to abduct him in Nakuru, an incident the Standard Group says its investigations traced to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
The Standard Group has welcomed the IG’s directive but insisted that the investigations must be independent, transparent and lead to accountability, noting that previous incidents involving its journalists remain unresolved.
About Author
