Standard Group Editor Alex Kiprotich Abducted in Armed Incident Near Gilgil

NAIROBI, KENYA — Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich was abducted in an armed incident after leaving the media company's headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday evening, before being abandoned near Masinga Dam several hours later.

According to accounts from the Standard Group, Kiprotich left the company's offices along Mombasa Road shortly after 7:00 p.m. and was later intercepted at around 9:00 p.m. near the Gilgil Weighbridge along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are now under investigation, with authorities seeking to establish the identities and motive of the people involved.

Journalist Tracked From Nairobi

According to accounts of the incident, a Subaru Forester allegedly followed Kiprotich from Nairobi for approximately 120 kilometres.

The occupants reportedly made several attempts to overtake and intercept his vehicle before stopping him near the Gilgil Weighbridge.

The attackers were reportedly armed and threatened Kiprotich and his driver before taking the journalist away.

The Standard Group said the ordeal at the highway lasted several minutes before Kiprotich was driven away.

The circumstances have raised questions about how the attackers tracked the journalist and whether the operation was planned in advance.

Kiprotich Found Near Masinga Dam

Kiprotich was reportedly driven for several hours before being abandoned near a thicket in the Masinga Dam area at approximately 2:30 a.m.

He was reportedly blindfolded and questioned about recent stories published by the Standard newspaper.

After being abandoned, Kiprotich managed to reach a nearby homestead, where he sought assistance and eventually contacted his family and colleagues.

Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chacha Mwita said the company received information about Kiprotich's whereabouts at around 3:00 a.m. and immediately moved to locate him.

The Standard Group team reported the incident to police in Nakuru before travelling to the Masinga area, where they reunited with the journalist.

Driver Left Behind in Gilgil

Kiprotich's driver was reportedly left behind with the vehicle in Gilgil after the journalist was taken away.

According to the Standard Group, the attackers also took mobile phones belonging to Kiprotich and his driver. The devices had not been recovered at the time of reporting.

The driver subsequently returned to the Standard Group's Nairobi headquarters, where he helped raise the alarm over the incident.

Questions Over Vehicle Registration

The vehicle allegedly used in the operation has also raised questions.

The Subaru Forester reportedly carried registration number KDG 125E. A search of vehicle registration records reportedly linked that registration number to a Honda Fit registered in 2021, raising the possibility that the plates may have been cloned or unlawfully used on another vehicle.

However, the significance of the registration discrepancy remains subject to investigation, and it has not been independently established that cloned plates were used during the incident.

Police Investigate

The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed that it is aware of reports concerning the journalist's abduction and said investigations are underway to establish what happened.

Police are expected to determine the identities of the individuals involved, establish the motive for the abduction and establish whether any organised group or individuals connected to state institutions were involved.

There have also been allegations from unnamed sources of possible involvement by individuals linked to a specialised security unit and a senior government official.

Those allegations have not been independently verified and should not be treated as established facts.

The reported incident has nevertheless renewed concerns about the safety of journalists in Kenya, particularly amid heightened political activity and increasing scrutiny of media reporting.

Second Reported Abduction Attempt

The incident is particularly concerning because Kiprotich reportedly survived another violent attack in Nakuru on June 27, making Tuesday's incident the second reported attempt against him within a matter of weeks.

The latest incident is likely to intensify calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journalist's abduction.

As investigations continue, questions remain over who organised the operation, why Kiprotich was targeted and whether those responsible had access to official resources or acted independently.

The National Police Service has yet to publicly identify any suspects or confirm the identities of those behind the incident.