The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) has raised alarm over press freedom in the country following the recent abduction and interrogation of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich.

Kiprotich was intercepted by armed assailants along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway on the night of September 1, held captive, and later abandoned hours away near Masinga Dam. While BAKE and the Standard Group, led by CEO Chaacha Mwita, expressed relief over his safe return, the association emphasized that the nature of the attack points to an escalating strategy of intimidation against the media in Kenya.

Reports indicate that during his captivity, the gunmen focused their interrogation on the Standard Group’s internal news-gathering operations and editorial decision-making processes.

The incident marks the second attempt on Kiprotich’s life this year, following a similar attempt in June when armed men tried to seize him during his morning commute. BAKE noted that the focus of the interrogation confirms the motive was directly linked to his work as an editor.

According to BAKE, this targeting is not an isolated event but part of a systematic campaign of harassment, physical threats, and arbitrary arrests directed at journalists and online content creators, particularly those covering politically sensitive issues.

The physical threat comes despite recent progress in the judiciary. In March 2026, the Court of Appeal delivered a landmark ruling in a case brought by BAKE, striking down Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. The court ruled that broad provisions criminalizing “false information” were unconstitutional and could be weaponized to silence legitimate reporting.

BAKE warned, however, that while legal safeguards are being established in the courts, physical risks on the ground continue to mount.

In response to the incident, BAKE called on the Government of Kenya to take immediate measures to safeguard media professionals:

  • Conduct an Independent Investigation: Launch a transparent inquiry to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators behind Kiprotich’s abduction.
  • Uphold Constitutional Protections: Fully respect press freedom and freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 34 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
  • Ensure Election-Period Safety: Establish concrete protections for reporters and content creators before, during, and after electoral cycles.
  • Cease State-Backed Interference: Halt all forms of state intimidation and harassment targeting journalists, bloggers, and civil society members.

The advocacy group reiterated that physical attacks on the press compromise the public’s right to information, warning that democratic institutions cannot function effectively when media workers operate under constant fear.