Kalonzo Calls for Action Over Abduction of Standard Editor

Story By Violet Kerubo

Wiper Patriotic Front and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party Leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has called for swift investigations and prosecution following the abduction and assault of Standard Newspapers Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich.

Kalonzo spoke to Kiprotich on Wednesday while the journalist was undergoing treatment after an ordeal that began when armed men reportedly intercepted him along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on Tuesday night.

According to Kiprotich’s account, the assailants, who were armed and masked, abducted him before he was later found near Masinga Dam in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Wiper leader described the incident as a serious threat to media freedom and the constitutional right of journalists to carry out their work without intimidation or violence.

Kalonzo also spoke with Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita, expressing solidarity with the journalist and the wider media fraternity following the incident.

He further demanded the arrest and investigation of Nominated MP Joseph Wainaina over remarks he characterised as hate speech and incitement, arguing that inflammatory statements by public figures can create an environment in which journalists and other citizens become targets of violence.

Kalonzo warned that Kenya must not allow political rhetoric to degenerate into threats, intimidation and physical attacks, recalling the devastating consequences of political violence witnessed after the 2007 elections.

He urged law-enforcement agencies to act against individuals who incite violence, regardless of their political standing, saying accountability was necessary to safeguard peace, democracy and freedom of expression.

The opposition leader was accompanied by Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe and Wiper Patriotic Front leaders from the Nairobi County Assembly.