Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich records statement over abduction saga

Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich and two other staff members have recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal investigations over the failed abduction saga that happened on September 1 along the Nakuru Gilgil road.

Mr Kiprotich presented himself alongside a Nakuru based reporter Julius Chepkwony and Geoffrey Kamau to the South Rift regional DCI offices in Nakuru on Friday afternoon where they shared their information regarding the incident that has sparked public uproar.

They were accompanied by Standard Group Chief Head of Security Tom Kipyegon and lawyer Gordon Ogolla.

Mr Ogolla who briefed the Media said his clients had decided to present themselves to the investigators to facilitate investigation towards identifying the suspects involved in the abduction.

They also submitted the vehicle Mr Kiprotich was travelling during the incident for forensic examination before the investigators from the Forensic Crime Scene department of the DCI undertook dusting and collection of fingerprints

Mr Ogolla observed that the company was concerned when the Police failed to take any action after incident including steps towards investigations.

“We had been made to believe that they would summon us so that the vehicle could be dusted, or they would come to where the vehicle was so that it could be dusted, but nothing happened,” he said.

Ogolla further called for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take over the matter, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the abduction required an independent investigation.

“We believe this is a matter that should be taken over by IPOA as we don’t believe police can independently investigate the incident, particularly because police officers had been present at the Gilgil Weigh Bridge where the abduction allegedly took place.,” he said.

Ogolla said the media house was also pursuing legal action and planned to file a constitutional petition at the High Court in Nakuru or Nairobi.

He said the petition would challenge the alleged harassment, intimidation and illegal abduction of Kiprotich, adding that the media house would seek conservatory orders to prevent a repeat of the incident.

“Majorly, we will be complaining about the harassment, intimidation of Alex, the illegal abduction,” he said.

Meanwhile, Standard Group Chief Head of Security Tom Kipyegon said the company urged the Police to speed up investigations to ensure the culprits are brought to book

“Today, they have dusted, they have lifted the fingerprints. Now it is up to them to tell us and to unmask the faces, to confirm to the nation who really abducted Alex,” he said.

called on authorities to produce another vehicle he said was linked to the incident and could contain further forensic evidence.

“Where is the other vehicle? Because the other vehicle also has a lot of forensic evidence that is linked to this crime,” he said.