Media owners demand swift probe after Standard editor Alex Kiprotich’s abduction

The Media Owners Association (MOA) has called for a rapid, independent and transparent investigation into the abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich. In a statement released on September 2, 2026, MOA Chair Agnes Kalekye expressed concern over the incident and emphasized that no journalist should be abducted or threatened for their work.

The MOA demanded clear institutional guarantees for the safety of media practitioners in Kenya and was prepared to work with the government, security agencies and other industry partners to develop safeguards for journalists. Kiprotich was abducted around 9:20 pm on September 1, 2026, while traveling to Nakuru on the Gilgil-Nakuru Road.

He was found near Masinga Dam the following morning after being released by his captors, visibly shaken from the experience. This incident follows an attempted abduction in June, where armed men intercepted Kiprotich as he drove to work, but he managed to escape by locking his vehicle and driving away. The MOA's demand for a thorough investigation has heightened concerns about targeted attacks on journalists due to their work, and sparked calls for accountability and a safeguarded environment for media freedom in Kenya, especially as the nation prepares for the 2027 General Election.