Newspaper links abduction of journalist Kiprotich to Kenya’s president
Alex Kiprotich, an associate editor of The Standard, a Kenyan newspaper, has been abducted by armed men.
The newspaper’s CEO, Chaacha Mwita, in a statement, said Mr Kiprotich was abducted along Gilgil-Nakuru Road shortly before 9:20 p.m. while travelling to Nakuru on Tuesday.
Mr Mwita said this is the second time in as many months that Mr Kiprotich had been targeted.
According to him, on June 27, 2026, armed men in a Toyota Probox, a vehicle model linked to enforced disappearances of government critics in Kenya, tried to seize him from his car as he drove to work in Nakuru.
He got away by locking his doors and driving off.
The Standard CEO linked the failed abduction attempt on Mr Kiprotich to President William Ruto’s government.
“That attempt came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised this Group over its coverage, and our own investigations traced the vehicle to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau,” said Mr Mwita. “No one has ever been held to account for it. Tonight, that threat has been carried out.”
The Standard CEO added, “We do not believe this is a coincidence. Mr Kiprotich has been at the forefront of our editorial output, including reporting that has scrutinised the conduct of the state, and tonight’s abduction bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job.”
“If that is confirmed, this is not simply a crime against one man. It is an assault on the Constitution of Kenya, on the freedoms of expression and of the media guaranteed under Articles 33 and 34, and on the right of every Kenyan to independent information.
“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. Protecting the life and liberty of every citizen is the state’s first duty, not an afterthought, and Mr Kiprotich’s safety now rests entirely in its hands.”
The government of Mr Ruto has not reacted to the latest allegation.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Climate justice campaigners demand fossil-fuel companies pay more taxes for damages
The petition presentation took place in New York as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly.
Education
Union dissociates from legislative summit, warns UI students
UI students’ union has dissociated from the students’ legislative summit scheduled to hold at the university’s International Conference Centre.
World
Iran vows to continue international flights amid U.S. threat
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced plans to step up pressure on Iran’s aviation sector.
Africa
Afreximbank to hold maiden joint trade seminar in Botswana November
Mr Diop said compliance was vital to achieving sustainable trade.
World
Google fined €403 million over data violations
The DPC ordered Google to bring its data processing practices into compliance with the GDPR within six months.
Heading 3
You can still apply for Dangote Refinery IPO, here’s how
Whether you prefer a website, your Flutterwave for Business dashboard, Send App, or even WhatsApp, there’s a digital route that works for you.
