Muturi: Legislators can scrap offensive clauses from media bill

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has said MPs have a chance to amend offensive clauses in the Powers and Privileges Bill 2014, which were deemed unconstitutional and a threat to media freedom.

Muturi said media freedom was a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution and committing the draft law afresh before the House presented a perfect opportunity for members to reflect on it and make amendments.

"All is not lost. It will be a chance to take a fresh look at the legislative process, allow for consultations and reach a consensus by passing a progressive law," he said in an interview.

The bill mover, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, argued that his proposals to scrap clauses that affected media were overtaken by majority vote on the floor of the House, but asked both MPs and the media to soberly relook at the issue.

Personal attacks

"Speaker Muturi has taken a great decision, which gives MPs a chance to soberly look at the implications. We now expect MPs to re-examine their stand and urge media stakeholders to refrain from personal attacks on MPs as this may impact the vote negatively," said Mr Keynan.

"I went out of the way to salvage the situation by halting the forwarding of the bill to Senate.

"I was forced to read Article 34 of the Constitution which protects freedom and independence of media and I still urge members to see light and sobriety when they resume debate," said Muturi.

He said he met with Senate Majority and Minority leaders Prof Kindiki Kithure and Moses Wetangula who challenged him on the constitutionality of the bill, forcing him to stop its forwarding to Senate in a bid to save the National Assembly's face.

"I asked members to clarify what it was they were doing that they don't want media to cover. On this bill I am with the media fully, but remember the decision will be made by members.

"I made a commitment to the press and swore to protect the Constitution. I am sure we will make progress," Muturi said.