Passage of security bill will negate constitutional gains. The security situation is so dire that almost everyone has been calling on the state to do everything within its powers to address the situation. Measures proposed in the security laws amendment bill 2014, if passed would be tantamount to suspending the country’s bill of rights. The government side which boasts of tyranny of numbers in the house seems to be in a hurry to have it debated before Christmas. The security situation in the country is dire, which calls for serious measures to ensure that the citizens continue to enjoy peace and tranquility under state protection. The Al-Shabaab insurgents have in the last few weeks killed innocent Kenyans while the Government side, play blame games instead of tackling the situation head on. While the bill aims to give the Government and security agencies more powers to fight terrorism, this is seemingly being done at the expense of the citizen who ironically is also the target of terrorists. It is unfortunate the ordinary citizen will pay the ultimate price imposed by the proposed laws by becoming a soft target of the legislation. Freedom of expression whose vibrancy is evident on social media will be a thing of the past if parliament approves the bill. This amounts to infringement of people’s right to privacy. Knowing how callous our security services can be, Individuals perceived to be anti-establishment will find themselves at the wrong end of the law. The media has a duty to inform and educate the public that becomes a far cry if news item must first receive state approbation before publication. The requirement that media houses seek police approval before running stories on terrorism or risk Ksh 5 million fine, is to say the least preposterous. This only happens in police states where sensitive information is withheld from the public. Kenyan should be ready for mass action should these Jubilee lawmakers pass this draconian law.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 07:44:13 +0000
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