Think about Kenyans' safety and pass security bill, DP William Ruto tells MPs

Deputy President William Ruto has asked the National Assembly to pass the controversial security bill to help Government fight crime.

Ruto made the appeal as clerics and political leaders prayed for the International Criminal Court to drop its case against him.

The DP urged the MPs to shelve their political affiliations and prioritise the safety of Kenyans by endorsing the bill that seeks to empower the Head of State to have direct control on security decisions.

The disputed bill seeks to have terror suspects detained for up to one year before prosecution, intelligence officers to possess firearms, tap mobile phone communications without authority from the court and the media to seek consent from the police before publishing stories on terror and other massive crimes.

In a prayer meeting attended by elected leaders from across the political divide, religious leaders and thousands of residents of Turbo constituency, Ruto said the Government was taking steps to counter the rising insecurity.

"The insecurity in the country has been devastating to all of us but the Government has taken huge leaps in countering the situation which should also be appreciated," Ruto said.

The DP insisted that the bill was not changing any part of the law but focusing on how the legislation could be fully implemented to secure the nation.

"There is no reason for any patriotic Kenyan to say we are robbing them of the fundamental rights. This is just an amendment of the legislation to operationalise the rights that have been highlighted in our Constitution," he explained.

Ruto said even clerics have a role to play in securing the country and wondered why there was hullabaloo over a legislation to ensure religious organisations are not used to harbour criminal activities.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki echoed the DP's sentiments and saying the leaders and the citizens should be united so as to defeat the enemy that is terrorism.

"We must end politicking whenever security of Kenyans is involved, those who have any issues that they feel should be addressed have until Thursday to present them or keep quiet forever because we will pass it on that day," said Kindiki.

ensure accountability

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said the time has come to change how security matters are conducted to avert further loss of Kenyan's lives.

Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro said: "The insecurity situation is straight from Kapedo, Pokot, Mandera, Mombasa and other areas thus the need for a law that makes relevant agencies accountable and effective to restore calmness of Kenyans who have been filled with fear," he said.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula stated his support for the bill saying there needs to be a paradigm shift on how security matters are conducted in the country if further bloodshed from terror attacks is to be averted.

Arthur Odera, Teso North MP, said those saying Kenyans' freedom has been cut short by the law are not considerate of lives.

"This is a law to protect life, how can you speak of freedom when there is no life? We need to appreciate life and protect it religiously," he said.

Meanwhile, the DP said he is optimistic his case at the ICC would be dropped.