Alex Kiprotich, a reporter with the Standard Group, is set to leave the newspaper company to join Kabarak University.
Sources say Mr Kiprotich, a winner of the David Astor promising young journalist award and prolific investigative writer, has resigned and would leave end of this month. It is not clear why Kiprotich is leaving, but someone close to him said he could have been offered a better deal by the university, which is associated with former President Daniel arap Moi.
“He is finishing his masters in human resource at JKUA. He is working on his project. I’m sure he has been given a good job and better salary,” said the person, who asked not to be named.
“The media industry has become very fluid and anything better can change someone’s mind.” His exit is a big blow to Standard newspapers, especially with the election coming election when media houses need sharp reporters.
Lately, Kiprotich has been on the East African Portland Cement Company story, churning out the dirt perpetuated by current management. He appeared to take credit of the sacking of the company’s chairman Mark ole Karbolo by president Kibaki yesterday, whos replaced him with UoN lecturer Dr Isaac Mpapuluu ole Mapenay.
Mr Kiprotich said on his Facebook page, with a link to the Standard story he authored reporting the sacking: “Thank you President Kibaki for reading the Standard on Saturday and Sunday and finally acting to save EAPCC!!!”
Mr Kiprotich holds a post-graduate diploma in mass communication and, as it were, is clearing his masters in human resource management. During the Astor fellowship, he was attached at the Independent newspaper in London, which honed his writing skills, hoisting him from a struggling reporter in Nakuru to one of the most watched journalists in Kenya.
