The National Police Service (NPS) has ordered an immediate investigation into the reported abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, as questions continue to surround the circumstances of the incident along the Gilgil-Nakuru road.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the NPS said it had taken note of reports that Kiprotich was allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday and moved swiftly to establish what happened.
The Service said Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had directed investigations into the incident, including efforts to establish the identities of heavily armed individuals reportedly seen ordering occupants out of Kiprotich's vehicle.
“The NPS treats kidnapping and abduction with the utmost seriousness,” the Service said, describing the offences as threats to the lives, liberty and security of Kenyans.
The investigation has been assigned to the NPS Anti-Abduction Unit, which was established specifically to address cases involving abductions and disappearances.
Police said the unit is actively investigating the incident and will work to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The police statement came hours after Kiprotich was found safe near Masinga Dam, more than 200 kilometres from the area where he was reportedly abducted. According to reports, he had been missing for several hours after armed and masked men allegedly intercepted his vehicle.
The Standard Group has linked the incident to Kiprotich's journalistic work, saying his alleged abductors questioned him about the newspaper's sources and editorial processes.
The media organisation has also raised concerns over a previous incident in June in which armed men allegedly attempted to seize the editor.
The latest police statement, however, did not confirm who was behind the abduction or whether the suspects were members of the security services.
Instead, the NPS said investigations would establish what transpired and identify those involved.
The Service also condemned any kidnapping, abduction or intimidation aimed at interfering with press freedom or any other constitutional right.
“The police and media are partners in serving the public interest by safeguarding Kenya's constitutional order,” the NPS said, pledging a transparent investigation and insisting that no individual is above the law.
The statement also addressed allegations of police brutality, rejecting what it described as a misleading and inflammatory headline published by The Standard.
The NPS accused sections of the media of sensationalising isolated incidents and undermining public confidence in the police, while maintaining that complaints against officers are referred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for investigation.
The Service cited IPOA's 2024/2025 annual report, saying 262 cases involving police officers were pending before the courts, while 42 officers had been convicted since the oversight body was established.
The NPS said it would cooperate with IPOA, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary as investigations into the Gilgil incident continue.