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Kenyan politicians detained as 'mass grave' row escalates Kenyan politicians detained as 'mass grave' row escalates
(about 2 hours later)
Six Kenyan politicians have been detained over comments they made about the alleged discovery of mass graves in the north-east.Six Kenyan politicians have been detained over comments they made about the alleged discovery of mass graves in the north-east.
The six, including prominent lawmaker Billow Kerrow, were taken to a police building for questioning.The six, including prominent lawmaker Billow Kerrow, were taken to a police building for questioning.
Mr Kerrow suggested that the graves were of people killed by the security forces. Only one body has been found. Mr Kerrow suggested that the graves were of people killed by the security forces.
The interior minister said the allegation was false, and undermined efforts to tackle militant Islamists.The interior minister said the allegation was false, and undermined efforts to tackle militant Islamists.
Anyone who made "damning claims and allegations will be required to substantiate them or face the full force of the law," Joseph Nkaissery said, in a statement. Fifteen sites had been exhumed in Mandera county, and no mass graves had been found, Joseph Nkaissery said in a statement.
"This case is no exception," he added. The body of one woman has been found.
Mr Kerrow has apologised for alleging that mass graves had been uncovered in the north-eastern Mandera county. Mr Kerrow and the other politicians had caused "unnecessary alarm and fear following outlandish and unsubstantiated allegations", he added.
Despite this, police arrested him and and another five politicians when they flew in from Mandera to the capital, Nairobi, reports the BBC's Robert Kiptoo from the scene. "The claim is that any person found dead is assumed to have been killed by a security agent. This is not only unacceptable but outrageous," Mr Nkaissery said.
He demanded that the politicians "retract in full and apologise to the nation for their alarmist statements", or risk facing the "full force of the law".
Although Mr Kerrow subsequently apologised, police arrested him and another five politicians when they flew in from Mandera to the capital, Nairobi, reports the BBC's Robert Kiptoo from the scene.
The six were driven in police vehicles to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Division for questioning, he adds.The six were driven in police vehicles to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Division for questioning, he adds.
Amnesty International said it had visited Mandera, and could confirm that there were no mass graves.Amnesty International said it had visited Mandera, and could confirm that there were no mass graves.
However, there were reports of systemic human rights violations - including torture and extra-judicial killings, it said.However, there were reports of systemic human rights violations - including torture and extra-judicial killings, it said.
When the reports of a mass grave first emerged, the hashtag #StopKillingSomalis started to trend in Kenya.When the reports of a mass grave first emerged, the hashtag #StopKillingSomalis started to trend in Kenya.
A report last year by campaign group Human Rights Watch said there was strong evidence that Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit has carried out a series of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the region.A report last year by campaign group Human Rights Watch said there was strong evidence that Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit has carried out a series of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the region.
Kenya's security forces deny the allegation.Kenya's security forces deny the allegation.
Kenya has thousands of troops fighting al-Shabab in neighbouring Somalia. The militant group says this is why it has staged several deadly attacks in Kenya in recent years.Kenya has thousands of troops fighting al-Shabab in neighbouring Somalia. The militant group says this is why it has staged several deadly attacks in Kenya in recent years.