A few days ago, Solicitor-General Njee Muturi, one of the co-chairs of the committee that authored the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014, was on a TV talk show to shed more light on the controversial proposed law. Muturi, representing the Attorney- General, defended the government from accusations of sponsoring a bill that allegedly infringed and undermined the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans. He, rightly, said every law has own limitations and none was absolute. His comments come at a time when the proposed law has elicited more heat than light with sections of the population rooting for what would easily pass for ‘pushing for the rights and freedoms of terrorists’. This raises the question; Where on earth do national constitutions protect killers and murderers of the innocent? We have lost hundreds of lives in deadly attacks executed by the terrorists before and after the Kenya Defence Forces crossed into Somalia in 2011. As peace-loving citizens, we must say enough is enough to these senseless, cowardly and barbaric killings. For us to do so, we have to support the enactment of stricter laws. Yes, the media have taken issue with the clauses outlawing publishing and broadcasting of gory images of the victims of terror attacks. Before querying this provision, Kenyans should ask themselves ‘what would you feel if it is an image of your close relative on that newspaper front page or TV clip groaning in great pain and on verge of breathing the last? Again, by publishing such images, we not only glorify the actions of the enemy but also help relay signal that they have won. This boosts their morale. Agreeably, by not publishing this image when it actually happened, denies the mass media audience the right to know, but all rights should be exercised with responsibility. The proposed law says that whoever is found guilty of this crime is liable to jail for three years or fine of Sh5 million or both. Muturi further observed that if Kenya is not at war with al Shabaab and their local networks, it was easy to understand where the media was coming from. Sincerely, I would also have had issues, for instance, with the clause that allows the National Intelligence Service to tap and intercept mobile telephone conversations, but I won’t do so because the greater interests of Kenya overrides all partisan and sectarian considerations. Notably, most democracies have stiffer laws to curb terrorism compared to Kenya. For those likely to differ with me, I would advise you read the USA Patriot Act. I challenge those opposing this law and other measures to fight terrorism—including Opposition Cord and the civil society —to declare their interests. I am sure they understand better the no- nonsense measures other countries have adopted to deal with menace. How come they are opposed to similar strategies here? We may not all love and support the ruling Jubilee alliance and its strategies, but what do we stand to gain by sabotaging efforts to secure our motherland?
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 03:35:09 +0000
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