Did festivities obscure new security laws?

The controversial security laws are at a stage where those against them can bank on no more hope than seeking an amendment on the same, unless they have other measures not yet known.

The laws are especially owful music to some parties including the government of the day’s opposition and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The opposition government couldn’t hide their dismay as they took it physical. We all saw or atleast heard about it. As we speak, they have a petition in court seeking an amendment to the laws.

Lacked public participation

In a bid to invalidate the operation of the laws, KNCHR has on her part argued that the Act lacked public participation, among other faults.

Yet we ask ourselves how such issues to do with security could escape public scrutiny. Was the festive season the right timing for the laws’ implementers? This is because in essence, the public were interestingly less concerned.

The fighting of MPs in the house seemed more of an entertainment package to households to beef up their Christmas mood. However, when the laws now become a reality, we shall doubt the opposition’s reaction was meant for entertainment.

Forget about politicians who are concerned that their freedom to hold public rallies has been infringed upon. The common citizen also has reason to be worried that once suspected of terrorism, as one of the clauses puts it, they are to be subjected to many hours held by security where they are bound to undergo all kinds of abuses from the security personnel because no one expects to be sang to sweet lullabies when held in police custody even if they are innocent.