The politics of protest

The Nation ( Nairobi), 2 August 2007

“An MP yesterday asked the police to arrest Health minister Charity Ngilu for raiding and releasing a suspect from a Nairobi police station. Mr Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central, Kanu), said he was shocked to hear that the minister had stormed into the police station, on Tuesday night, and released one of the handful of demonstrators, who had earlier been arrested outside Parliament.

“The demonstrators included a former executive officer of Transparency International, who was protesting against plans by MPs to give themselves a staggering Sh1.4 billion golden handshake for serving for five years.

“The proposals had been contained in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, which was put on the order paper last Thursday morning, but withdrawn in the eleventh hour in the afternoon sitting before members could start debating it.

“If the Bill is passed, each of the 222 MPs will take home a average of Sh5.9 million on the eve of the forthcoming General Elections expected in December….”.

The Nation ( Nairobi) 3 August 2007

by Fred Mukinda and Lucas Barasa

“Health minister Charity Ngilu was Thursday night arrested, hours after she was questioned by CID over an incident in which a suspect was freed from police custody in Nairobi.

“Her lawyer, Mr Paul Muite, who had accompanied her to CID headquarters on Kiambu Road, announced the arrest after six hours of questioning. Her official driver, a policewoman, was also being questioned last night.

“The minister was informed of the arrest by deputy CID director, Mr Gabriel Amata. Said Mr Muite: "He informed us that the police would hold the minister overnight. We tried to enquire if she would be presented in court tomorrow (today) but apparently there was no answer.

“Reports indicated that there were plans to release the minister later in the night….”.

The Standard ( Nairobi) 6 October 2007

by Alex Kiprotich and Ben Agina

“…A press release from the Presidential Press Service sent to newsrooms last night stated the minister had been relieved of her duties. ‘Honorable Charity Ngilu has been relieved of her duties as the Minister for Health with immediate effect,’ read the statement.”

“President Kibaki’s move came as a surprise because while addressing a PNU political rally in Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium, he only made a thinly veiled reference to Ngilu. However, the PPS sent electronic mail shortly after 6.30pm to newsrooms in Nakuru.

“Moments before her sacking, the Health minister had made a triumphant entry into Uhuru Park, the venue of ODM [Orange Democratic Movement] rally, with a ministerial flag decked on her GK Toyota Prado.

“Alongside her on the dais sat her assistant minister Dr Enoch Kibuguchy who has also defected to ODM. There was a light moment when party Secretary General Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o announced that the party had won over a whole ministry from President Kibaki.…”

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