Military

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KENYA POLITICS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-268163

BYLINE=KATY SALMON

DATELINE=NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Street riots erupted in western Kenya after an opposition member of Parliament had his three-year jail term annulled. Katy Salmon reports from Nairobi that the parliamentarian will now be re-tried for allegedly assaulting his ruling party rival.

TEXT: Five people were injured in violent clashes between supporters of jailed parliamentarian Shem Ochuodho and a group of drunken youths.

The trouble started when the Mr. Ochuodho's lawyer announced to the large crowd outside the high court that he was to be freed. A gang of youths, chanting political slogans, attacked the deputy's supporters with whips and stones and other missiles.

More than 50 riot police in full combat gear, some with dogs, stood by and watched as the youths attacked the crowd. Mr. Ochuodho's lawyer, James Orengo, complained, asking why the police just watched as he was being stoned

Mr. Ochuodho and four of his supporters were jailed last week for two-years on charges of assaulting his political rival, Philgona Okundiof the ruling KANU party during the 1997 general elections. They were sentenced to a third year for setting her Land Rover on fire.

Magistrate Alex Anambo refused to grant bail, saying he was serious about ending what he called - political thuggery - in Kenya. But, Justice Barabara Tanui says records of the judgment were jumbled up and indecipherable and the case should be re-tried.

Police beat and kicked Mr. Ochuodho when they re-arrested him. He was charged again and this time granted bail.

The outspoken politician's career is now in jeopardy. Under Kenyan law, a member of parliament automatically loses his or her seat in Parliament if jailed for more than three-months.

/// OPT /// Mr. Ochuodho won a seat in parliament in 1997 with the National Development Party. He was a staunch supporter of N-D-P leader Raila Odinga - then the government's most formidable opponent in western Kenya. When Mr. Odinga agreed to cooperate with the KANU government after the 1997 vote, Mr. Ochuodho broke ranks with N-D-P leaders. /// END OPT ///

Recently, Mr. Ochuodho has joined opposition rallies organized by the newly launched political Muungano wa Mageuzi Party, the Movement for Change. President Daniel arap Moi has ordered police to block future Movement rallies on the grounds the group is not a registered political party.

Mr. Ochuodho's lawyer, who leads the pro-reform movement, charges that Mr. Ochuodho's jailing is aimed at getting him our of parliament so his seat would be open for the next elections in 2002. (SIGNED)

NEB/KS/RAE

NEB/KS/LMK