Kenya journalists vow to use lawful means to ensure draconian law does not supersede the constitution

By Standard Digital Reporter

The media fraternity in Kenya has opposed the media law passed by the National Assembly on Thursday.

Coming together under the Kenya Editors Guild, Kenya Union of Journalists and the Kenya Correspondents Association, the journalists have expressed strong opposition to the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly on October 31, 2013.

In a joint statement the bodies representing various cadres of journalists in the country asked the President not to assent to the bill.

“The contents of this Bill are an affront to freedom of expression not only with respect to the media fraternity but with respect to all Kenyans. The Bill is therefore unconstitutional and we call upon President Uhuru Kenyatta not to sight it into law.”

The journalist have also faulted the National Assembly for choosing to misuse its legislative powers to re-introduce draconian laws meant to gag the media and muzzle all critical voices that seek to hold power to account.

The scribes have now promised to use lawful means to ensure that the bill is not became law.

“As media practitioners who understand the checks and balances provided by the constitution with regard to enjoyment of rights and freedoms, we shall not allow the National Assembly to flout the constitution unchallenged. In this regard, we shall use all lawful means to ensure that the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment Bill does not prevail over the constitution,” said the statement signed by Kenya Editors' Guild Vice Chair David Ohito and the Guild’s Secretary General Hassan Kulundu.

“We call upon the rest of Kenyans to join us in protecting our constitution and democracy against what is obviously parliamentary dictatorship.”