'Arrest and prosecute!' Rights bodies call out Standard Editor's abduction

KHRC condemned the incident, describing the journalist’s abduction as unlawful and brutal, calling for accountability after Kiprotich was found alive near Masinga Dam nine hours after he was taken along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights organisation said officers involved in the incident, together with their commanders, should be arrested and prosecuted without delay.

"KHRC unequivocally condemns the unlawful and brutal abduction of Alex Kiprotich, associate editor at the Standard Media Group,” the commission said.

KHRC said the circumstances surrounding Kiprotich’s abduction should not be treated as an ordinary criminal incident, arguing that the case raises serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers and the protection of journalists.

The commission called for the arrest and prosecution of officers it claims were involved in the incident, including their commanders.

The rights organisation also linked the latest incident to broader concerns it has raised over alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.

KHRC claimed that victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have previously reported to the organisation the existence of heavily armed groups allegedly operating outside normal policing procedures.

According to the commission, witnesses have described groups whose members allegedly wear balaclavas, sometimes operate without uniforms and use Subaru vehicles, including vehicles allegedly fitted with false number plates.

KHRC said such conduct would contravene a court order requiring law enforcement officers to be easily identifiable while conducting operations.

Also reacting to the alleged abduction was international human rights organisation Amnesty International who called for an independent and transparent investigation into the saga, saying the incident threatens freedom of expression and media freedom.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Amnesty said the incident was concerning, coming days after President William Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.

“Every credible allegation of a human rights violation must be investigated independently, thoroughly and transparently,” Ruto said during celebrations marking the 16th anniversary of the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

Amnesty executive director George Morara said the circumstances surrounding Kiprotich’s alleged abduction raised serious questions about the safety of journalists and the protection of freedom of expression.

“We therefore call on the government to ensure an independent, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the abduction of Alex Kiprotich,” Morara said.

He said anyone found responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law.

The organisation said the reported incident was disturbing because journalists should be able to perform their duties without fear of intimidation, harassment, abduction or other forms of reprisal.

"Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation, harassment, abduction or other reprisals,” Amnesty said.

Amnesty also linked the incident to the constitutional guarantees of liberty and security, arguing that no person should be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention, abduction or enforced disappearance.

The Standard Group confirmed that Kiprotich was found safe after being dumped near Masinga Dam in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to the media house, Kiprotich was found at around 2:00 am after he was abducted by armed men while travelling along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road. He sought refuge at a nearby household before a Standard Group team located him at about 6.30 am.

The media house said Kiprotich was safe but shaken by the ordeal.