The National Police Service (NPS) has rejected allegations linking its officers to the reported abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich and ordered an investigation into the incident.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had instructed the Anti-Abduction Unit to establish what happened and identify the armed men who allegedly intercepted Kiprotich along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road.
The police service said it considers abduction and kidnapping serious offences that threaten the safety and freedom of Kenyans. It also condemned any attempts to intimidate journalists or interfere with constitutional rights, including press freedom.
Nyaga said investigators would pursue those responsible and ensure they face justice. He further assured the public that the inquiry would be conducted transparently and that no individual would be treated as being above the law.
The statement followed the safe recovery of Kiprotich near Masinga Dam, several hours after he was reportedly taken by armed men while travelling along the Gilgil–Nakuru route.
The Standard Group reported that Kiprotich told colleagues that four masked men carrying AK-47 rifles removed him from his vehicle before driving away with him in a Subaru registered KDG 125E. The media organisation said the vehicle appeared to be associated with the government and had a siren.
Kiprotich reportedly told his colleagues that his captors questioned him about the Standard Group’s sources and the process through which headlines are selected.
Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita said the company considered the State responsible for ensuring Kiprotich’s safety. He also pointed to an alleged abduction attempt involving the journalist on June 27, 2026.
In that earlier incident, armed individuals travelling in a Toyota Probox reportedly attempted to intercept Kiprotich while he was driving to work in Nakuru.
The two incidents have prompted calls for authorities to establish whether there is a connection between them. The Media Council of Kenya has urged authorities to conduct an immediate and open investigation, noting that no arrests had been made over the June incident.
The Kenya Editors Guild has also called for an independent investigation into both cases, including allegations concerning a possible connection between the vehicle involved in the earlier incident and the NPS intelligence unit.
The latest investigation is expected to establish who was behind Kiprotich’s abduction and whether the two incidents were connected.
