Detectives linked to attempted abduction of Standard Editor

Standard Media Group headquarters in Nairobi, home to one of Kenya's leading independent media organisations. [File, Standard]

As investigations into the attempted abduction of Standard Media Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich continue, independent investigations have uncovered new details linking the incident to detectives attached to the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) in Nakuru.

According to the private investigations, the four-armed members of CRIB attempted to abduct Kiprotich on Saturday morning along the Mercy Njeri–Mastoo Road aboard a Toyota Probox.

In a bid to establish the status of official investigations, lawyer Gordon Ogola, who is representing Kiprotich, visited the CRIB's offices seeking answers on the alleged involvement of the officers.

However, after Ogola spoke to Benson Manene, the officer in charge of the team, he said he was out of the office at Central police station, barely 500metres away and promised to be in the office in 10 minutes. The officer, however, switched off his phone and didn't show up at his office to meet the lawyer as promised, after repeated attempts to reach him.

The private investigations further reveal that an officer identified as Kemboi was among those who trailed Kiprotich and attempted to abduct him on Saturday morning.

The latest findings reinforce earlier claims that the Editor had been under surveillance by DCI officers a day before the attempted abduction.

Ogola said that at around noon on Friday, while fuelling at a petrol station along Nakuru-Kabarak road, Kiprotich noticed a Subaru, registration number KDC 146E, following him.

The vehicle, which investigations reveal belongs to DCI Nakuru, was later spotted strategically parked near the gate to the Kabarak home of former President Daniel Moi at 5 pm before disappearing.

"We are wondering what a coincidence it is that they followed Mr Kiprotich into the petrol station and up to the Kabarak gate. We believe those who attempted the abduction were not ordinary criminals but State agents and it seems the Subaru on Friday was on reconnaissance before the attack on the Editor on Saturday morning," Ogola said in an interview.

Kiprotich was heading to Kabarak when the Probox began trailing him before overtaking and blocking his vehicle.

Three men alighted from the vehicle brandishing AK-47 rifles.

The armed men repeatedly struck the vehicle while attempting to force Kiprotich to open the doors, but were unsuccessful. Kiprotich then swerved away and sped off, escaping despite the men pursuing him.

The incident has been linked to The Standard's editorial stance and recent headlines.

The incident has attracted criticism from a section of leaders now calling on the government to stop curtailing the freedom of the press.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said freedom of the press is paramount. He noted that the media has provided an alternative voice as lawmakers fail to put the government in check.

Natembeya defended The Standard for saying the truth.

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri said the media is there to speak the truth. He said the fight against The Standard does not make sense.

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has condemned intimidation and harassment of editors and journalists, saying it goes against the spirit of the Constitution.

Muturi said in a statement yesterday that the intimidation and harassment of editors and journalists, together with any attempt to censor, spy on, or exert political pressure on independent media houses, is an attack on the Constitution and the democratic rights of every Kenyan.

According to Muturi, a government that targets the press is not protecting the public interest but is shielding itself from accountability.