Four armed men driving a Toyota Probox reportedly attempted to abduct Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich.
According to the Standard, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, in Nakuru County.
“Four armed men in a Toyota Probox attempt to abduct Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich in Nakuru early Saturday, days after President Ruto criticised the media house’s news coverage,” Standard Group stated.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction attempt remain unclear, and it was not immediately established whether the incident had been reported to the police or if any arrests had been made.
The incident comes just days after President William Ruto publicly criticized Standard Group over its news coverage.
Also Read: President Ruto Says He Is Being Blackmailed By Gideon Moi
President Ruto accused Standard Group owner Gideon Moi of attempting to blackmail him through what he described as persistent negative media coverage targeting his administration.
In a strongly worded post published on June 24, Ruto launched a fresh attack on Standard Group, accusing the media house of using critical headlines to pressure his government.
In the statement posted on his official X account, the President claimed that the media house’s “five days a week” of negative coverage of his administration would not force him to give in to what he termed greed and extortion.
“GMoi, your Standard Media’s five-days-a-week extortionist propaganda headlines on me and my administration’s transformative track record will get you nothing and nowhere!” President William Ruto wrote.
Ruto maintained that Kenya belongs to all citizens and not to any individual or institution. He also challenged his critics to intensify their scrutiny, insisting that attempts at blackmail would never succeed.
“Blackmail to yield to your greed? Neve Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Jaribu 8 days a week. Do your worsy!” the President wrote.
In another statement on June 25, Ruto accused the Standard Group owner, whom he described as a billionaire, of hiding behind financial difficulties, while workers continued to report to work despite delayed salaries.
“Bro, the billionare you are; hiding behind ‘debts’; forcing many months’ unpaid labor slaving to defend your Standard headlines extortion Gangsterism driven by greed; is heartless to loyal workers, insult to journalism and betrayal to free media that Standard once belonged,” Ruto said.
Also Read: Ruto Questions Standard Group Owner Over Unpaid Employees Salaries
In response to the President’s allegations, Standard Group defended its editorial independence, insisting that it would continue reporting on matters of public interest, including governance and leadership issues.
The media house maintained that its editorial decisions are made independently and that it does not take instructions from any individual or office.
Standard Group also raised concerns over unpaid government debts, stating that the State owes the company KSh1.2 billion, a situation it said has affected its operations.
Further, the company warned that following the President’s criticism and the outstanding payments, it would hold the government responsible for any harm or damage suffered by the company and its employees.
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