The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has named a police unit and two officers allegedly linked to the abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich.
KUJ Secretary General Eric Oduor made the revelations on Wednesday while reading a joint statement by the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, which condemned the incident as a serious attack on press freedom.
According to Oduor, the journalist was allegedly abducted by officers attached to the Operation Support Unit (OSU), a unit he said is headed by a retired police officer working on contract.
Oduor identified the officer as Zachary and further named Corporal Chensit as the officer allegedly captured confronting and intimidating Kiprotich during the incident.
Kiprotich was reportedly intercepted at about 9:30pm on Tuesday while travelling along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway. Armed men allegedly blocked his vehicle before forcibly taking him away.
The journalist was later found near Masinga Dam on Wednesday morning after Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chacha Mwita and colleagues mounted efforts to locate him.
A video reportedly showing the incident has also emerged, with the footage appearing to capture armed men blocking Kiprotich’s vehicle before taking him away.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from media organisations, human rights groups, political leaders and members of the public.
The Kenya Editors Guild, Media Council of Kenya, Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya are among organisations that have condemned the alleged abduction.
The Kenya Media Sector Working Group rejected suggestions that the incident was an ordinary roadside crime. Oduor said the coalition considered it a calculated attempt to intimidate journalists and create fear within Kenya’s media fraternity.
The allegations are expected to increase pressure on security agencies to investigate the incident and establish those responsible for Kiprotich’s abduction.