Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich in Gilgil.
Kiprotich was reportedly taken on Tuesday night after a white vehicle blocked his car along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway. Four masked and armed men allegedly removed him from his vehicle and forced him into another car.
He was later found near Masinga Dam at around 2am, about 200 kilometres from where he was allegedly taken.
Kiprotich reportedly sought help from a nearby family, who sheltered him until the Standard Group team arrived. He was said to be physically unharmed but shaken by the incident.
Kanja directed the police Anti-Abduction Unit to investigate the incident and establish who was behind the alleged abduction.
Police said they would work to identify the individuals reportedly seen ordering people out of their vehicle and bring anyone found responsible to justice.
The National Police Service also condemned kidnapping, abduction and intimidation, particularly where such actions could interfere with press freedom or other constitutional rights.
At the same time, police rejected claims contained in a Standard headline alleging police brutality, describing the headline as misleading and unsupported by evidence.
The police said any allegations of police brutality should be investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), with officers found responsible expected to face accountability.
The investigation is expected to establish what happened to Kiprotich, who was involved and whether the incident was connected to his work as a journalist.