Don’t sign this Bill Mr President

Who is to say that, when the time comes, the retrogressive Bill they supported last evening will not be used to silence them when they oppose a future unpopular Government?

What will stop an Information Minister from issuing ‘‘guidelines’’ preventing their views from being covered on radio and television?

Clearly, our leaders are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

The recent decisions of this Parliament – from the one on taxation, the refusal to disband the electoral commission and Wednesday’s broadcast regulation – have an overpowering stench of intolerance, pettiness and savage greed.

But there is still a way out. The President can still return this Bill to Parliament with recommendations, omitting those clauses that will turn this country into a dictatorship.

The future of free speech now rests with you Mr Kibaki – don’t sign this Bill.