President Uhuru Kenyatta says law will deter aggression

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta has defended the controversial security law. Speaking yesterday after signing the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014, he said for the first time, a law that focuses on prevention and disruption of threats is in place.

He said the law sets higher threshold for any public or state officer charged with responsibility of protecting Kenyans. "It also deals with emerging crimes that reinforce territories, including foreign fighters, radicalisation and cross border crimes such as poaching and trafficking," he said.

He noted that such crimes are increasingly gaining 'a degree of sophistication.' He was confident the law will also improve capacity to detect, deter and disrupt any threats to national security.

"The law gives security actors a firm institutional framework for coherent cooperation and synergy within the national counter terrorism centre," he said.

The President said the legislation also allows the use of technology in processing and advancing ability for successful prosecution of suspects.

Kenyatta asked Kenyans to support the new laws and cooperate with security officers in combating terror.

"I call upon all Kenyans to bring their full weight to bear in giving effect to this law. We are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks. I urge Kenyans to remain vigilant and give information that can help secure our nation," he said.

In his speech, the President thanked MPs for passing the Bill even as some members acted oblivious of the security threats the country is facing.

He denied claims that the law infringes on the rights of Kenyans and challenged citizens to read and understand it. He said the sole intention of the law is 'to protect the lives and property of all citizens of this republic.'

"I urge all Kenyans to take time to read and understand this law that I have just signed. I am confident that there is nothing in this law that goes against Bill of rights or any provision of the Constitution," he said on a televised speech from State House Nairobi.

He faulted critics who have challenged legality and process of effecting the amendments, noting that due process was followed. He said after terrorists executed 64 Kenyans last month alone, extensive consultations were initiated within the Executive, kick starting the process of amending the security laws.