Mogadishu, Somalia —Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS) expresses deep relief at the safe recovery of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, who was found alive near Masinga Dam following a harrowing nine-hour abduction.
Kiprotich was reportedly intercepted and abducted by armed men along the Gilgil–Nakuru road on September 1, 2026, before being released and abandoned by his captors in the early hours of the following morning.
SRS strongly condemns the abduction and considers it a grave attack on the safety of journalists and the fundamental principles of press freedom across East Africa.
“The abduction of Alex Kiprotich is a deeply troubling attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists across East Africa. We stand in full solidarity with Alex Kiprotich, his family, and the Standard Group. Regional authorities must conduct a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said SRS Spokesperson Hanad Ali Guled.
The SRS spokesperson further stressed that journalists must be able to carry out their professional and democratic responsibilities without fear of violence, intimidation, or unlawful interference.
“Journalists cannot effectively fulfill their democratic responsibilities while operating under the shadow of violence and intimidation. The safety of media workers must be protected, and attacks against journalists must never be allowed to go unpunished,” the spokesperson added.
SRS stands in full solidarity with Alex Kiprotich, his family, and the entire Standard Group team during this difficult and unsettling period. An attack on one journalist is an attack on press freedom as a whole.
Press Office, Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS)
Mogadishu, Somalia
Email: info@srsso.org.
