Nairobi — Kenya’s interior minister and police chief were both fined for contempt of court on Thursday for failing to obey a judge’s order to free an opposition politician, in a sharp escalation of the stand-off between the government and the judiciary. High court judge George Odunga said both men had "conducted themselves in a most despicable manner not expected in this constitutional era" — an unprecedented rebuke of such senior figures. Interior minister Fred Matiang’i and police inspector general Joseph Boinnet were each fined 200,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,985) for their part in the detention of opposition politician Miguna Miguna this week. The minister would appeal, his office said. There was no immediate comment from the police. Opposition groups and activists have repeatedly accused the government failing to respect the authority of the courts in political matters — a charge the government denies. Miguna Miguna — who holds dual Canadian citizenship — was detained after he fle...
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