Parliament did well to uphold right to picket

Last week, the National Assembly rejected a bill that sought to curtail the right to protest, which is a right that has serious implications on freedom of expression, association and political rights. The crux of the amendment bill introduced by Ruiru Member of Parliament Simon King’ara was that it sought to criminalise protests that end up in violence.

Specifically, clauses 11A and 11B criminalise causing grievous bodily harm, loss of property and loss of earnings and imposes a prison term not exceeding six years, a fine not exceeding Sh100,000, including an order for compensation to benefit the person who was hurt or lost earnings during a civil action.