Standard Group editor Alex Kiprotich found safe after abduction

By Newsflash Reporter

Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich has been found safe after he was abducted by hooded men along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway on Tuesday night.

The Standard Group confirmed on Wednesday morning, September 2, that Kiprotich had been located near Masinga Dam at around 6.30am after being dumped by his captors in the early hours of the morning.

According to the media house, a team lead by its Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita found the journalist after he sought refuge with a nearby family.

The family took him in and cared for him before the Standard Group team arrived.

“The Standard Group PLC is relieved to inform the public that our Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, has been found safe this morning, following his abduction along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway last night,” the organisation said in a statement.

The company said Kiprotich was safe, although he was understandably shaken by the ordeal.

Kiprotich abducted on way to Nakuru

Kiprotich was abducted shortly before 9.20pm on Tuesday while travelling towards Nakuru, the Standard Group said in its earlier statement.

At the time, the media organisation said his whereabouts were unknown and called for his immediate, safe and unconditional release.

It also demanded an independent investigation into the incident, saying the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s disappearance were deeply troubling.

The Standard Group said it would continue to press for full accountability and share additional information as it became available.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of journalists in Kenya, particularly because it came just over two months after Kiprotich escaped another reported attempt to abduct him in Nakuru.

Second reported attack in two months

On June 27, armed men travelling in a Toyota Probox reportedly attempted to seize Kiprotich as he drove to work in Nakuru.

The journalist escaped after locking his vehicle and driving away.

The latest incident marks the second reported attack involving Kiprotich in just over two months.

The media house thanked everyone who mobilised through the night to search for the journalist, prayed for his safety and stood with his family and colleagues during the anxious hours.

The media organisation also expressed gratitude to the family that opened its doors to Kiprotich after he was dumped by his captors.

“The circumstances of Mr Kiprotich’s abduction remain deeply troubling, and we will continue to press for full accountability,” the Standard Group said.

For now, the organisation said it was grateful that Kiprotich had been found safe.

“For now, we are simply grateful that Alex is safe,” Mwita said.