Nairobi - Kenyan riot police beat up opposition members of parliament yesterday while President Daniel arap Moi marked 19 years in power with reassuring words for striking teachers and the IMF. The wildly contrasting scenes, in a Nairobi shanty town and in a park across the city, unfolded on Moi Day, an annual holiday in the East African country.
Witnesses said four MPs - Mr Paul Muite, Mr Oloo Ogeka, Mr Henry Ruhiu and Mr Benjamin Ndumbai - were thoroughly beaten before being arrested along with about a dozen aides. Mr Muite was later released. Other MPS managed to evade arrest when riot police firing teargas and wielding whips and clubs broke up an opposition rally at Kamukunji, called to snub the "Moi Day" celebrations.