Newspaper links abduction of journalist Kiprotich to Kenya’s president

“We say this plainly and without equivocation: the Standard Group holds the state responsible for Alex Kiprotich’s safety and his life,” the paper’s CEO stated.

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • September 2, 2026

Alex Kiprotich, Ruto

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.

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