Minister denies aiding prisoner

2007-08-03 18:24

Nairobi - Kenya's health minister was released from custody on Friday after a three-day saga that began when she drove a prisoner to a hospital after an alleged beating by police.

The health minister, Charity Ngilu, who was arrested on Thursday evening, denounced the police as she left the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters to cheers and applause from dozens of supporters.

"All I can say is that they were out to frustrate me, humiliate me," she said.

Ngilu - who was never formally charged - was accused of helping a women's rights activist, Ann Njogu, escape police custody on Tuesday.

Njogu was among five people who were detained that day during a protest against lawmakers' plans to award themselves bonuses of more than $85 000 at the end of the year.

'The law is not going to be compromised'

Ngilu's attorney said his client didn't help Njogu escape because police knew she was going to a hospital.

"First of all, she was taking the prisoner to hospital to be treated because the police had beaten her badly," attorney Paul Muite said. The hospital returned Njogu to police custody the next day, so there was no escape, he said.

Police declined to give details of Ngilu's arrest, but said the accusation of aiding an escape had been justified.

"The law is not going to be compromised in this country," police spokesperson Eric Kiraithe said.

All five activists were released on Thursday after a judge said they had been held without charge beyond the 24-hour limit.

Njogu, who was limping and using a cane, spoke briefly to the health minister at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters on Friday.

'Charged with unlawful assembly'

"When injustice becomes the law, resistance becomes a duty," Njogu told her.

The other activists also lauded Ngilu's actions.

"What she did, I think, was honourable and commendable," said Mwalimu Mati, a former head of Transparency International's Kenya chapter. "In the face of an impending violation or an impending felony ... if a minister is standing there, is she expected to watch?"

Ngilu is the first Cabinet minister arrested during President Mwai Kibaki's four years in office, although others have been accused of corruption or disobeying court orders.

Also on Friday, 10 people who were arrested on Thursday while protesting outside the Criminal Investigations Department were charged with unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. A judge said they would be released on bail.

- AP