Fresh details have emerged over the alleged abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, with claims that the unit involved is linked to a sitting Cabinet Secretary.
According to information cited in the report, the group allegedly operates under the direction of a Cabinet Secretary. Four men were reportedly involved in the incident after allegedly following Kiprotich from the Standard Media Group offices along Mombasa Road.
The men reportedly intercepted his vehicle near Gilgil Way Bridge after a long chase.
Kiprotich later said his abductors questioned him about the sources behind stories published by The Standard that they believed were critical of the government.
Reports also indicate that the men asked about people who had visited KANU leader Gideon Moi’s home and what had been discussed there.
The claims have not been independently verified. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has denied police involvement and ordered the Anti-Abduction Squad to investigate the incident.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also made similar allegations, claiming that the group consists of about 60 officers and receives instructions from a Cabinet Secretary and a powerful Principal Secretary.
Meanwhile, questions have emerged over the vehicle allegedly used during the incident. Records from the National Transport and Safety Authority reportedly show that the registration number linked to the vehicle belongs to a Honda Fit registered in December 2021.
The vehicle was reportedly registered to a private individual whose identity has not been made public.
The Cabinet had not issued a statement on the allegations at the time of publication.
Kiprotich was reportedly found near Masinga Dam early Wednesday after being taken from the Gilgil area the previous night. He later received help from residents before a Standard Group rescue team arrived.
Police are now expected to establish what happened, identify those involved and determine whether the allegations linking the incident to government officials have any basis.