The Standard Group has raised alarm over the reported abduction of its Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road.

According to a statement by Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita, Kiprotich was allegedly abducted shortly before 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, while travelling to Nakuru.

The company said his whereabouts were unknown as of Tuesday night and called for his immediate, safe and unconditional release.

The report comes about two months after a previous incident involving the journalist.

On June 27, 2026, Kiprotich reported that four armed men approached his vehicle while he was driving to work in Nakuru. According to his account shared with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), he locked his doors and drove away after another vehicle intercepted him.

Kiprotich and a witness later recorded statements with police.

The Standard Group has alleged that the vehicle involved in the June incident was a Toyota Probox, which it claims internal checks linked to a police unit. This claim has not been independently verified, and no state agency has publicly confirmed police involvement.

The June incident reportedly occurred three days after President William Ruto publicly criticised the Standard Group over its coverage. Press freedom organisations, including CPJ, noted the timing and called for investigations. There is no independently established evidence linking the remarks to either incident.

The Standard Group has alleged that Kiprotich may have been targeted because of his editorial work. This remains a claim by the company.

Following the latest incident, the media house has asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the Law Society of Kenya, the Media Council of Kenya and the Committee to Protect Journalists to follow up on the matter and help ensure his safe return.

The National Police Service had not issued a public statement on the September 1 incident as of the morning of September 2, 2026.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance, the journalist's whereabouts and the identity of those responsible had not been publicly confirmed by authorities as of publication time.

Disclaimer: This report is based on a statement issued by the Standard Group CEO and a previous report by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Claims of police involvement are allegations by the company and remain unverified. Police response is awaited.