Kenya minister fights with police

Charity Ngilu is well-known for contradicting government policy

Kenyan Health Minister Charity Ngilu has clashed with police for arresting a women's rights activist.

Ms Ngilu forced her way to the police station where the activist and three others were being held and freed her, despite resistance from policemen.

The activists were protesting against plans by MPs to award themselves a $20m bonus before parliament is dissolved.

Police fired tear gas to disperse sympathisers who had converged at the station to seek their release.

"I am a girl and am here to defend their rights. Leave her alone and if you arrest her I will come along," Ms Ngilu shouted as she elbowed her way out of police cells with the activist.

A police officer struggled to stop the minister's official car from leaving with the suspect but failed.

Ms Ngilu is well known for her fiery temper and for contradicting government policy.

Activists injured

The activist, Anne Njogu who is also the head of Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, has however been re-arrested at her home.

The protesters say MPs do not deserve such a huge pay-off

Three other activists, who had been arrested on Tuesday for leading the demonstrations, were seriously injured after a police van they were travelling in was involved in an accident.

The police were transferring them to different police stations to avoid further confrontations with their supporters when the accident occurred.

The MPs are to vote on a government proposal to give them a 12.5% increase on their pay and allowances backdated to January 2003.

Kenyans go for 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.

Some donors have estimated that up to $1bn had been lost to graft between 2002 and 2005.