Security Bill Passed In Chaotic Parliament

The passing of the bill witnessed chaotic scenes never seen in the recent past as honourable MPs behaved in a dishonourable manner.

This was after opposition MPs opposed to the bill vowed to stop the passing of the controversial bill prepared by the government.

Debate on the bill was disrupted several times forcing the Speaker Justin Muturi to postpone it several times.

Transaction of business was interrupted several times as opposition MPs chanted and heckled their opponents over the contents of the bill.

At one point during the committee stage, an MP poured water on the table where the Deputy Speaker Dr. Joyce Laboso was presiding over.

This was to derail debate on the bill.

Parliament Sergeants at Arms were forced to protect Speaker Justin Muturi during proceedings as MPs from CORD coalition attempted to stop him from proceeding with the amendments to the bill.

The opposition MPs were protesting against the refusal by the Speaker to give them more time to familiarize with the proposed changes in the Security Laws Amendment Bill.

The drama on the floor of the August House resulted in the adjournment of the special sitting of the National Assembly twice.

The opposition MPs shouted, sang and shredded copies of the bill forcing a further adjournment from 11:35am to 2:30pm.

Some of the proposed amendments to the security bill include extending the time suspects can be held without charge to 360 days from 90 days.

The bill also proposes that media media organizations be fined up to Sh5 million for printing material that is "likely to cause fear or alarm".

The Law Society of Kenya is among groups that have been calling for a review of the Security Laws Amendment Bill before its enactment saying that the proposed law has provisions that deny people their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution.

CORD senators led by Minority leader Moses Wetangula have vowed to move to court to block the new piece of legislation passed today.

The bill now awaits the President assent to become law.

By Leah Ngechu