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Kenya minister held after protest Kenya minister held after protest
(40 minutes later)
Kenyan Health Minister Charity Ngilu has been arrested, accused of helping a protester escape police custody.Kenyan Health Minister Charity Ngilu has been arrested, accused of helping a protester escape police custody.
Ms Ngilu apparently forced her way into a Nairobi police station and freed the woman's rights activist on Tuesday.Ms Ngilu apparently forced her way into a Nairobi police station and freed the woman's rights activist on Tuesday.
Her lawyer, Paul Muite, labelled the arrest "nonsensical", saying Ms Ngilu helped the female protester to hospital after she had been beaten by police.Her lawyer, Paul Muite, labelled the arrest "nonsensical", saying Ms Ngilu helped the female protester to hospital after she had been beaten by police.
The activists were objecting to plans by MPs to award themselves a $20m bonus before parliament is dissolved.The activists were objecting to plans by MPs to award themselves a $20m bonus before parliament is dissolved.
Mr Muite, also an MP, said on Thursday evening the position of his client was not clear. This is the first time a minister has been arrested since President Mwai Kibaki came to power in 2003.
The law is not going to be compromised in this country Eric KiraithePolice spokesmanThe law is not going to be compromised in this country Eric KiraithePolice spokesman
"We tried to inquire whether [the police] would be taking her to court tomorrow - no answer," he told reporters. Ms Ngilu was first arrested on Thursday but was released on police bail overnight.
"We tried to inquire whether they are holding her even beyond tomorrow - apparently no answer." She was asked to report back on Friday morning to the Criminal Investigations Department, where she was rearrested and is still being held.
Other reports suggested Ms Ngilu would appear in court on Friday morning. It is still not clear whether the minister will be taken to court.
The BBC's David Ogot in Nairobi says tension is high at the CID headquarters where the health minister and her lawyer have been detained since early morning.
"I have been detained here to deny me a chance to go to the high court to file a case seeking to have Ms Ngilu released or produced in court. They are doing this purposely and it is all political," Mr Muite told reporters behind the police gates.
Detention 'justified'Detention 'justified'
The activist, Anne Njogu, who is also the head of Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, was arrested along with four other demonstrators.The activist, Anne Njogu, who is also the head of Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, was arrested along with four other demonstrators.
The protesters say MPs do not deserve such a huge pay-offShe was taken to hospital by Ms Ngilu on Tuesday, but rearrested on Wednesday.The protesters say MPs do not deserve such a huge pay-offShe was taken to hospital by Ms Ngilu on Tuesday, but rearrested on Wednesday.
A day later a judge ordered all five to be released, saying their detention had been illegal. The five now plan to sue the police for wrongful arrest.A day later a judge ordered all five to be released, saying their detention had been illegal. The five now plan to sue the police for wrongful arrest.
Police refused to give details of Ms Ngilu's arrest, which happened on Thursday, but said her detention was justified, the Associated Press reported.Police refused to give details of Ms Ngilu's arrest, which happened on Thursday, but said her detention was justified, the Associated Press reported.
"The law is not going to be compromised in this country. It does not matter your station in life," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe told AP."The law is not going to be compromised in this country. It does not matter your station in life," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe told AP.
MPs are to vote on a government proposal to give them a 12.5% increase on their pay and allowances backdated to January 2003.MPs are to vote on a government proposal to give them a 12.5% increase on their pay and allowances backdated to January 2003.
Kenya will hold elections in December and President Mwai Kibaki will be seeking a second term in office.Kenya will hold elections in December and President Mwai Kibaki will be seeking a second term in office.
Over the past four years, Mr Kibaki's administration has been hit by several massive corruption scandals, which have damaged the president's credibility with Western donors.Over the past four years, Mr Kibaki's administration has been hit by several massive corruption scandals, which have damaged the president's credibility with Western donors.
Some donors have estimated that up to $1bn had been lost to graft between 2002 and 2005.Some donors have estimated that up to $1bn had been lost to graft between 2002 and 2005.