NAIROBI, Kenya -- Police questioned two top editors and two directors of Kenya's oldest newspaper for seven hours Monday about a front-page report that an unnamed Cabinet minister was trying to arrange the assassination of former president Daniel arap Moi's son.
The Standard newspaper described what it said was a taped confession by the would-be assassin in Monday's story. The alleged target of the hit, Gideon Moi, is an opposition member of parliament representing the Baringo Central region in Kenya's Rift Valley Province.c
The motive involved financial documents, according to the newspaper.
Gideon Moi could not immediately be reached for comment.
"I am not aware of such a plot," Internal Security Minister John Michuki said.
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe confirmed the men were being asked to give a statement on "the serious allegations published in today's Standard."
Before going in for questioning, the paper's Deputy Chairman Paul Melly said he and his colleagues went to the police in response to a summons, and said they would provide investigators with a copy of the taped confession.
Kipkoech Tanui, managing editor of The Standard's weekend editions, said his colleagues were separated from their attorneys Monday during questioning.
Afterward, Melly told reporters that while the investigators were cordial, and the Standard staff members were cooperative, the length of the interrogation and the police refusal to allow them to be represented by attorneys made it a clear case of intimidation.
Under Kenyan law, anyone questioned by police has the right to have an attorney present.
"A matter of this nature ... undermines freedom of the press in this country," Melly said.
Five senior opposition politicians, including two potential candidates for the presidency in elections later this year, waited outside of the police station where the men were questioned and demanded their immediate release.
Last March, masked, plainclothes police carrying assault rifles staged a midnight raid on The Standard and its sister television station, burning tens of thousands of newspapers in the most dramatic attack on the press in Kenya's history. The Standard and the Kenya Television Network were shut down, marking the first time a Kenyan government has closed a major media company and followed the detentions of several journalists.
The Kenyan media have reported aggressively on corruption scandals swirling around President Mwai Kibaki, seen as increasingly politically isolated.
Besides Melly, the Standard officials who were questioned are: Editorial Director Kwendo Opanga, Group Managing Editor Chacha Mwita and Chief Operating Officer Paul Wanyagah.
