Peter Mbae warns govt over media freedom after Alex Kiprotich’s abduction

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs, Peter Mbae, has cautioned the government against clashing with the media in light of the alleged abduction of Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich. Kiprotich was found unharmed in Masinga, Machakos County, nine hours after armed men intercepted his vehicle on the Gilgil-Nakuru road on Tuesday night.

He had been taken over 200 kilometers from the abduction location. The National Police Service (NPS) has not taken responsibility for the incident, stating that Inspector General Douglas Kanja has ordered its Anti-Abduction Unit to investigate the abductors' identities. In an interview on a local TV station, Mbae defended the role of journalists in probing issues involving public institutions and powerful interests.

He mentioned that Kiprotich was working on a story about evictions in the Mau Forest and land grabbing allegations when he was abducted. Mbae stated that journalists should be allowed to investigate matters of public interest without fear of intimidation. The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has requested the police to clarify the circumstances leading to Kiprotich's abduction, while the Media Owners Association has demanded a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation.

The police have denied involvement and are currently investigating the armed men's identities. The Standard Group reported that Kiprotich was taken by four masked men armed with rifles, and that they questioned him about the organization's sources and editorial decisions. These accounts have not been independently verified. The case has raised concerns about journalists' safety in Kenya, with Amnesty International Kenya calling for an impartial and transparent investigation.