January 13, 1992: The two-day siege of Prof Wangari Maathai’s house ends when the police broke down the doors and arrested the prominent FORD activist. And late in the afternoon, police also arrested ‘FORD lawyer James Orengo outside the Nairobi Law Courts immediately after the arraignment of former Vice-President Josephat Njuguna Karanja and former MP Eliud Matu Wamae on charges of spreading malicious rumours. Mr. Orengo’s wife, Rhoda, confirmed the arrest but there was no information about where he was being held. Scores of policemen stormed into Prof. Wangari Maathai’s residence at the Nairobi South “C” area, broke down the doors and forcefully arrested her. The policemen, some in riot gear and others in plain clothes, used a bolt-cutter to cut open the padlocked wooden gate and the burglar proofing in the front window to gain entry into the house. Here, Prof Maathai after being arrested.

Photo|Nation Syndication