People’s Prosperity Party presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo has condemned the alleged abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, calling for a thorough investigation and greater protection of journalists in Kenya.
Owalo said he was relieved that Kiprotich had been found safe, but described the incident as part of wider concerns over the safety of journalists and the state of media freedom in the country.
“A journalist should never have to choose between doing their job and protecting their life,” Owalo said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
He said media freedom was a constitutional right protected under Article 34 of the Constitution of Kenya and argued that journalists should be able to investigate and report on matters of public interest without intimidation or violence.
Kiprotich, an associate editor at The Standard Group, was reportedly abducted before later being found safe.
Details surrounding the incident and the identities or motives of those responsible have not been established in the statement.
Owalo called on the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone responsible is brought to justice.
“Failure to investigate and prosecute attacks against journalists creates a culture of impunity,” he said.
He also warned against what he described as an emerging culture of intimidation of journalists and media organisations whose reporting may make people in positions of authority uncomfortable.
“The media provides an essential check on the exercise of political and public power. Weakening the media consequently weakens accountability,” Owalo said.
Kenya’s media freedom is protected by the constitution, which provides for the freedom and independence of the media.
The country has a large and diverse media sector, but journalists have continued to raise concerns about threats, harassment and attacks in the course of their work.
The former ICT Cabinet Secretary said protecting media freedom would be particularly important as Kenya prepares for the 2027 general election.
“Political competition must never become an excuse for shrinking democratic space or intimidating those entrusted with informing the public,” he said.
He added that politicians seeking public office should be willing to defend media freedom even when journalists criticise them.
“Those of us seeking the privilege of leading this country must be prepared to defend media freedom even when the media criticises us,” Owalo said.
He concluded by saying Kenya’s constitutional gains needed to be protected.
“A free media strengthens democracy. A protected journalist strengthens accountability. And a Government that respects both strengthens the Republic,” Owalo said.
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