The Standard Group's associate editor, Alex Kiprotich, narrowly avoided being kidnapped by armed men in Nakuru, Kenya, days after President William Ruto criticized the media outlet.The incident highlights escalating risks for journalists in Kenya, with Kiprotich's attackers using a police-linked vehicle.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged authorities to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable, noting the president's earlier promises of press freedom.

Ruto's recent criticism of The Standard Group, which owns a majority stake by Gideon Moi's family, intensified tensions ahead of 2027 elections.Kiprotich's account details the confrontation, where he locked his car doors and fled.The police denied involvement, but investigations suggest the vehicle used belonged to the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB).

This incident adds to a pattern of enforced disappearances targeting critics, with no accountability for past cases like the 2022 death of Arshad Sharif.

The Standard Group's ongoing critiques of Ruto's administration further fuel political tensions, raising concerns about press freedom and political retaliation.