Gachagua Claims to Know Details Behind Abduction of Standard Editor Alex Kiprotich

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed to possess information linking the abduction of Standard Media Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich to an alleged exposé the journalist was preparing on compensation funds meant for Mau Forest evictees.

Kiprotich was reportedly accosted by armed men along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road on Tuesday night before being found dumped near Masinga Dam on Wednesday morning.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with questions mounting over the identity and motive of the individuals behind the journalist's abduction.

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party, claimed Kiprotich had been working on an investigative story concerning alleged irregularities in compensation funds intended for thousands of Mau Forest evictees from the Kipsigis community.

According to the former deputy president, the journalist was preparing an exposé detailing how millions of shillings in compensation money had allegedly been diverted.

“Mr. Alex Kiprotich was preparing for an assignment in the Mau Forest, where thousands of Mau evictees from the Kipsigis community have been conned out of millions of shillings in compensation money by officials of the National Government Administration under the direction of Mr. Murkomen and Mr. Raymond Omollo,” Gachagua alleged.

He further claimed that the funds had allegedly been channelled to individuals acting as brokers and proxies.

“Alex was to publish an exposé giving a blow-by-blow account of how the funds have been stolen, leaving the evictees helpless and in anguish,” he said.

Gachagua did not provide publicly verifiable evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegations.

Gachagua Alleges Plot to Silence Journalist

The DCP leader also alleged that Kiprotich's abduction was discussed during a late-night meeting between President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday.

Gachagua claimed the alleged objective was to prevent Kiprotich from publishing the investigative report.

He further alleged that Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin was instructed to assemble a team to monitor the journalist and ultimately eliminate him.

According to Gachagua, the alleged plan changed after footage of the abduction emerged and triggered public outrage.

“The DCI, Mr. Mohamed Amin, was instructed to put Alex under 24-hour surveillance,” Gachagua claimed.

He alleged that the team was coordinated by a person he identified as Zachary Kariuki, whom he described as retired but recalled to assist in coordinating the operation.

Gachagua further claimed that the group comprised rogue police officers allegedly involved in abductions, killings and subsequent cover-ups.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the individuals named have not been established as responsible for Kiprotich's abduction.

Gachagua Questions Police Investigation

Gachagua also questioned the ability of the National Police Service (NPS) to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

He alleged that senior security officials had significant control over operations within the police service, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

“The NPS was taken over a long time ago by Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen and Mr. Raymond Omollo, with the concurrence of Mr. William Ruto; orders are directly issued to your DIG, Eliud Langat, and DCI Mohamed Amin,” he claimed.

The allegations come as police face pressure to establish who was behind the abduction and determine the motive for the attack.

Vehicle Used in Abduction Traced

Investigations aided by footage reportedly captured by Kiprotich's dashcam have identified the vehicle allegedly used during the abduction as a Subaru bearing registration number KDG 125E.

A search on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) portal reportedly showed that the registration number was assigned to a Honda Fit in December 2021 and registered to Alex Maunda Wanyonyi.

The apparent discrepancy between the vehicle identified in the footage and the vehicle associated with the registration number could form part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

Authorities will also be expected to establish whether the registration plates were genuine, transferred between vehicles, cloned or otherwise used unlawfully.

Journalist Had Reportedly Survived Earlier Abduction Attempt

Kiprotich's latest ordeal is reportedly his second encounter with suspected abductors this year.

In June, the journalist survived an attempted abduction and subsequently reported the incident at Menengai Police Station.

The Standard Group has previously said its investigations linked the vehicle involved in that incident to officers attached to the National Police Service's Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau in Nakuru.

The alleged link has not, however, established that police officers were responsible for the latest incident.

Police Deny Involvement

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has denied police involvement in Kiprotich's abduction.

Kanja has directed the Anti-Abduction Unit to immediately investigate the incident, including efforts to identify the armed individuals who abducted the journalist.

The investigation is expected to examine the footage captured during the incident, the vehicle allegedly used by the abductors, the registration details associated with it, Kiprotich's movements before the incident and any possible motive for the attack.

As authorities pursue the investigation, Gachagua's allegations have added another layer to a case that has already raised concerns about the safety of journalists and the broader issue of alleged abductions in Kenya.

For now, the claims linking the abduction to Kiprotich's reported investigation into Mau evictee compensation funds remain allegations and will require independent verification by investigators.