The Sunday Standard has published fresh details surrounding the abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, raising questions over how the attackers executed the operation and whether police officers may have assisted their escape.
In its Sunday, September 6, 2026 edition, the newspaper described the incident as an “abduction trap”, reporting that the Gilgil weighbridge may have provided the attackers with an ideal choke point to intercept Kiprotich’s vehicle.
According to the publication, the area is equipped with CCTV cameras belonging to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), although the surveillance system is managed and operated by a private contractor. The cameras are positioned close to the weighbridge, raising questions about whether investigators will be able to obtain footage showing the movements of the attackers and Kiprotich’s vehicle.
The Standard also reported claims that police officers manning the weighbridge may have helped clear the way for the abductors. The allegations have not been independently established, and investigators are expected to determine whether officers at the scene had any involvement in the operation.
The newspaper said the spotlight has now shifted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which visited the scene days after the incident to examine the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
During the visit, investigators reportedly dusted Kiprotich’s vehicle for fingerprints as part of efforts to identify the individuals involved and reconstruct what happened during the attack. The forensic examination could provide crucial evidence as authorities seek to establish the identities of the abductors.
Kiprotich was abducted along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on September 1 by armed men before being found safe near Masinga Dam several hours later. Police have since launched investigations into the incident.
The abduction has sparked renewed concerns over journalist safety and media freedom in Kenya, with human rights and media organisations calling for a credible and independent investigation.
The latest revelations are likely to intensify pressure on investigators to establish whether the attack involved individuals with access to security operations along the busy highway.