Duale: Media Bill to go back for debate

The Leader of Majority in Parliament Aden Duale during a past interview. Mr Duale said law making was a process and the Kenya Information and Communications Bill which was endorsed by MPs, sparking protests across the country, could be debated afresh. FILE

What you need to know:

  • “It can be brought to Parliament as a miscellaneous amendment Bill. There should be no cause for alarm,” he said.

The controversial media Bill limiting press freedom might find its way back to Parliament after six months.

Majority leader Aden Duale told the media not to panic as the Bill could be brought back for debate next year after the Jubilee lawmakers consult with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“The way forward is that the Bill will be looked at afresh after consultations with the President. If the media have issues, let them wait patiently until the Bill is revisited,” he told journalists on Saturday after presiding over a funds drive in aid of Kathunguri Primary School in Kirinyaga County.

Mr Duale said law making was a process and the Kenya Information and Communications Bill which was endorsed by MPs, sparking protests across the country, could be debated afresh.

“It can be brought to Parliament as a miscellaneous amendment Bill. There should be no cause for alarm,” he said.

Cord

But Mr Duale accused the Cord leaders of politicising the issue after being defeated in Parliament.

“For media to be responsible there must be strict regulations. Even in the US and UK the penalty imposed on journalists who commit crimes is heavy,” he said.

Four Members of Parliament, Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), Njogu Barua (Gichugu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and Rachel Shebesh who were in attendance said President Uhuru Kenyatta was popularly elected and should not be tried in the International Criminal Courts (ICC).

They argued that the President would not be able to serve Kenyans if he attends trial in the ICC.

“The President has a lot of work to do and should not go to the ICC to face charges of crime against humanity. This case should be dropped unconditionally,” Mr Gitari said.

Mr Barua said Kenya would be on trial should Mr Kenyatta be tried at the ICC.

Ms Shebesh who is the Nairobi women representative and Mr Ichung’wa accused Britain of pushing for the trial of the President at the ICC and told it to stop meddling.

“Britain trains their soldiers in our country and still wants our President jailed.If it continue we can tell its soldiers who are training in Laikipia to leave,” Mr Ichung’wa said.