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Somali MPs held in Kenyan swoop Somali MPs held in Kenyan swoop
(about 1 hour later)
Kenyan police have arrested 16 Somali MPs and other government officials in a raid on suspected illegal migrants in the capital, Nairobi, officials say.Kenyan police have arrested 16 Somali MPs and other government officials in a raid on suspected illegal migrants in the capital, Nairobi, officials say.
About 300 people were picked up in the raid in the Eastleigh district, home to a large ethnic Somali population.About 300 people were picked up in the raid in the Eastleigh district, home to a large ethnic Somali population.
Prominent Kenyan Muslim leader Al-Amin Kimathi has also been arrested.Prominent Kenyan Muslim leader Al-Amin Kimathi has also been arrested.
The raid follows violent clashes on Friday between police and groups protesting at plans to deport a controversial Muslim cleric.The raid follows violent clashes on Friday between police and groups protesting at plans to deport a controversial Muslim cleric.
Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has accused Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab of links to the clashes, which left at least five people dead.Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has accused Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab of links to the clashes, which left at least five people dead.
But an al-Shabab spokesman told the BBC this was not true.But an al-Shabab spokesman told the BBC this was not true.
Five-star hotels
Kenya has played host to many rounds of talks aimed at bringing peace to Somalia and many Somali officials are based there because of the lack of law and order at home.Kenya has played host to many rounds of talks aimed at bringing peace to Somalia and many Somali officials are based there because of the lack of law and order at home.
Al-Amin Kimathi helped organised Friday's protestsAl-Amin Kimathi helped organised Friday's protests
Muslim groups have long complained that they are being unfairly targeted by Kenyan police, with many Muslims arrested and accused of terrorist offences before being released for lack of evidence.Muslim groups have long complained that they are being unfairly targeted by Kenyan police, with many Muslims arrested and accused of terrorist offences before being released for lack of evidence.
Officials at Somalia's embassy in Nairobi confirmed that government officials, including former army General Yusuf "Dumal" Hussein, had been arrested. A spokesperson at the Somali embassy in Nairobi confirmed that government officials, including former army General Yusuf "Dumal" Hussein, had been arrested.
They are due to appear in court later on Monday. Chief consular officer Mohamed Osman Aden said some of those arrested were on an official visit and some were in the city for training.
The officials stressed that those arrested held valid visas but this was disputed by a senior police official who spoke to the AFP news agency. "Their presence was lawful," he told BBC Somali at the court where those arrested are expected to be charged.
"They presented their passport to the police, but they didn't want to know."
He said several officials had been arrested at five-star hotels.
A senior police official who spoke to the AFP news agency said those arrested were in the country illegally.
"The security operation is part of the investigation going on after Friday's demonstrations by Muslim youths in the city centre," the unnamed officer said."The security operation is part of the investigation going on after Friday's demonstrations by Muslim youths in the city centre," the unnamed officer said.
Mr Kimathi heads the Muslim Human Rights Forum, which helped organised the protest that called for the release of Jamaica-born Abdullah al-Faisal.Mr Kimathi heads the Muslim Human Rights Forum, which helped organised the protest that called for the release of Jamaica-born Abdullah al-Faisal.
Faisal has been jailed in the UK for calling for the murder of Jews and Hindus.Faisal has been jailed in the UK for calling for the murder of Jews and Hindus.
He was arrested on 31 December but Kenya has been unable to deport him because few countries are unwilling to host him.He was arrested on 31 December but Kenya has been unable to deport him because few countries are unwilling to host him.