Web posted at: 9:09 p.m. EDT (0109 GMT)
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) — Riot police wielding tear gas and clubs broke up an anti-government rally in Nairobi Friday and arrested Paul Muite, a key political opponent of President Daniel arap Moi. Muite was later released.
The government had banned the rally because it clashed with Moi Day, a national holiday celebrating the 19th anniversary of the president’s ascension to power. Muite, freed after three hours in police detention, later told a news conference that he had been beaten and clubbed. He showed reporters welts and bruises.
“It was very, very savage,”
Muite said.
The rally had been called by the National Convention Executive Council, an opposition group. About 2,000 people were on hand when police, firing guns into the air, moved in. Government forces kept the media at bay with tear gas.
In addition to Muite, at least three other opposition leaders were beaten and arrested.
Across town, a crowd of 10,000 joined Moi, his government and the international diplomatic corps to watch a military parade and an air force fly-by to celebrate the holiday.
But despite the pomp and ceremony, Moi’s government has been beleaguered by strikes and sporadic outbreaks of public discontent. Chief among the problems is an ongoing strike by 200,000 school teachers demanding higher pay.
Man being dragged
Elections must also be held before the end of the year, with Moi seeking a fifth term as president. NCEC officials say a political reform package now making its way through the Kenyan parliament allows the president to retain too much power and does not guarantee free and fair elections. They are threatening to boycott the ballot.
The International Monetary Fund suspended a $205 million loan to Kenya in July, citing official corruption. In his remarks Friday, Moi extended an olive branch to the IMF.
“We are willing to discuss with them … and we are keen to move forward,” the president said.
He also said Kenyans need “sober minds” as they moved towards a new political and economic order.
“I … call upon leaders and all peace-loving Kenyans to reinforce the existing peaceful atmosphere in the country and to avoid making statements which divide our people along tribal lines,” he said.
Speaking later, Moi said that if anti-government forces foster unrest, “Kenya will disintegrate like other countries.”
But NCEC leader Kivutha Kibwana said the violence Friday showed that Moi’s government was not interested in reform.
“What Kenyans have said is that they want freedom, they want change; they are unstoppable. The quicker that message sinks (in), the better,” he said.
Correspondent Catherine Bond and Reuters contributed to this report.
