By Anchor Writer
The Kenya Editors Guild has demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the abduction of The Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich(Pictured below), warning that the incident represents a grave threat to media freedom and Kenya’s constitutional democracy.
KEG President Zubeidah Kananu said Kiprotich’s abduction was not an isolated attack on a journalist but part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation, harassment and violence against the media.
She said the Guild was “shocked, outraged and deeply perturbed” by the incident.
The Standard Group has confirmed that Kiprotich was allegedly abducted shortly before 9:20pm on Tuesday along the Gilgil-Nakuru road while travelling to Nakuru. His whereabouts remained unknown as the Guild issued its statement but he was later found dumped in Masinga in Machakos County.
Kananu said the latest incident was particularly alarming because Kiprotich had been targeted only two months earlier.
On June 27, armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox reportedly attempted to intercept him as he drove to work in Nakuru.
Kiprotich escaped after locking the doors of his vehicle and fleeing the scene.
According to the Guild, the incident occurred only days after President William Ruto had publicly criticised The Standard Group over its coverage.
Subsequent investigations by The Standard Group reportedly traced the vehicle used in the incident to the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
The Guild said the allegation required a thorough and independent investigation.“These are grave allegations. They cannot be dismissed, explained away or buried in silence. They demand immediate, independent and credible investigation,” Kananu said.
The abduction comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the safety of journalists in the country.
It follows the reported assault of two Kisumu-based Agence France-Presse journalists, Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, while covering a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town.
The journalists were reportedly attacked by armed youths and had their press cards, driving licences, cameras and other personal belongings taken.
Kananu said the incidents, coming in quick succession, raised serious questions about the environment in which journalists are operating.“Taken together, these incidents paint a deeply troubling picture of a media environment in which journalists are being beaten, pursued, threatened, harassed and abducted while simply doing their jobs,” she said.
The Guild President issued an especially pointed warning over the possibility of State involvement in attacks against journalists.“If State agents are indeed involved in these attacks, as alleged, then Kenya faces a crisis far more serious than individual acts of violence,” Kananu said.“It would mean that institutions entrusted with protecting citizens are allegedly being turned against those whose constitutional duty is to inform them.”
She described such a situation as “an intolerable inversion of the role of the State.”
The Guild invoked Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits the State from interfering with anyone engaged in broadcasting, production or circulation of a publication, or dissemination of information through any medium.
The Constitution also prohibits penalising anyone for an opinion or view, or for the content of a broadcast or publication.
Kananu said journalists did not lose their constitutional protections because they published stories critical of those in power.“A journalist does not surrender his constitutional rights by asking difficult questions, publishing uncomfortable facts or holding power to account,” she said.“And a government does not acquire the right to silence the media simply because it dislikes what is being reported.”
The Guild has demanded investigations into both the latest incident and the June 27 attempted abduction.
It has also demanded investigations into the reported connection between the vehicle involved in the June incident and the National Police Service’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
The Guild wants anyone found responsible for attacks against journalists prosecuted regardless of their position, rank or institutional affiliation.
It has similarly called for a credible investigation into the Homa Bay assault on the two AFP journalists.Kananu warned that the safety of journalists cannot be made conditional on whether the Government approves of their reporting.“The safety of journalists is non-negotiable. The freedom of the press is non-negotiable. And the public’s right to know is non-negotiable,” she said.
She added that when a journalist is abducted, the consequences go beyond the individual victim.“When a journalist is abducted, the victim is not the only one silenced. The entire public is silenced with him,” Kananu said.
The Guild called on President William Ruto and State agencies to ensure Kiprotich is safe and that those responsible are brought to justice.
It further urged the Government to demonstrate its commitment to media freedom through action rather than statements.
The latest confrontation between the State and the media comes as journalists increasingly find themselves operating in an environment of heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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