Party boasts of numbers to pass Bill

Jubilee MPs will bank on their majority in Parliament to pass the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014, Wednesday, Ainamoi legislator Benjamin Lang’at said Wednesday.

The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade and Planning said in Kericho Town that recent attacks by terrorists and bandits called for new tough laws to stop the trend.

“Hundreds of Kenyans have lost their lives and property following these attacks. As MPs, we want to put an end to this by enacting harsher penalties for terrorists and their sympathisers,” he said.
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Separately, nominated MP Johnson Sakaja said the government would do whatever it takes to secure the country because the public had asked President Kenyatta to act decisively on insecurity.

Alluding to the criticism that has greeted the Bill, the TNA member said: “If you want to conduct an orchestra, you have to turn your back to the crowd.”

However, he said the government would listen to those who have made submissions on which clauses should be amended.

Media owners are among parties that have criticised some sections of the Bill, such as those seeking to regulate coverage of terrorist attacks.