Forty-two members of parliament in Kenya have suspended their participation in a constitutional review process, in protest at the recent break-up of opposition rallies.

The MPs -- four of whom are from the governing KANU party -- said it made no sense for them to embark on comprehensive constitutional and legal reforms while the government continued to show contempt for the minimal reforms already agreed.

They called for the arrest of two police chiefs and several councillors in the western town of Kitale for allegedly disrupting two opposition rallies earlier this month.The statement was read by Kipruto arap Kirwa, who was sacked this week as assistant agriculture minister; correspondents say he's widely regarded as the leader of a growing rebellion within KANU.