Speaker Muturi orders withdrawal of contentious media Bill

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has recommitted the Powers and Privileges Bill over the contentious clause that would prove punitive clause.

Speaking at Parliament on Thursday, Muturi ordered the Bill be withdrawn and returned to the committee stage for consultations over Clause 34 which proposes a Ksh 500,000 fine or 2 year jail term for any person who  publishes any article deemed defamatory to Parliament.

Adan Keynan, who is a member of the Powers and Priveleges Committee as well as the Eldas Member of Parliament, had on Wednesday reneged on his earlier promise to expunge Clause 34 from the Bill by presenting the Bill in its entirety to the committee of the whole House where it was passed.

The Bill had elicited wide condemnation from media stakeholders and Kenyans who said it will not only clump down on the mainstream media but also social media users.

“Not only are journalists in peril for doing their jobs, but citizens of Kenya who uses social media  and other platforms to question the work of their representatives will also end up in prison of simply exercising their constitutional rights,” read a statement from a section of journalists.

In a statement sent to media houses on Thursday, Kenya Union of Journalists, Kenya Editors Guild and the Kenya Correspondents Association stated that they are appalled by the Parliaments’ decision to pass the contentious Clause 34 of the Bill terming the  Bill as draconian and unconstitutional .

The unions vowed to go to any lengths to safeguard the right of Kenyans to know and freedom as their messengers and watchdogs to inform them.

“The Bill as passed is unconstitutional  and contravenes Articles 33, 34 and 35 of the Constitution which entrench freedom of expression, freedom  of expression, freedom and independence of media and the public’s right to information.”

The journalists’ unions said the move is an affront to the hard-earned democratic space and an attempt to roll back the gains of democracy.

The unions said the media has been instrumental in keeping a close eye on the National Assembly which has been on the spot for abuse of office, corruption and extortion.

“Some members of the house have been caught with their hands m public purse, including filing false mileage claims of up to Sh2 million a month per individual,” they said.

Earlier the same day, Media Owners Association said Adan Keynan did not take into consideration their suggestions on the Bill adding that the contentious clause was aimed at infringing on media freedom.

According to the association chairs Hanningtone Gaya, the Bill comes at a time when the Media Owners Association is reevaluating the need for self-regulation through appropriate  legislations.