MPs within the law to ‘gag’ media, Ruto says

By NDERITU GICHURE

Deputy President William Ruto has said by passing the oppressive media Bills, MPs were exercising their constitutional rights.

He, however, said there are other avenues that can be employed to address the discontent among media practitioners following Parliament’s passing of the two draconian media Bills.

Speaking in Nyeri, Ruto said those dissatisfied could still engage in dialogue or move to court, which is granted powers to resolve disputes.

“The Constitution provides clear mechanisms for any aggrieved party to go to court or initiate dialogue to ensure any dispute arising from the Bills is addressed by the relevant institutions including the media council,” he said.

“It is not possible for the Jubilee government to gag the media when the new constitutional provisions provides for the checks and balances to ensure it operates within the acceptable parametres,” Ruto said.

He noted the Constitution provides for equal rights to all citizens, saying the media should not infringe on other people’s rights when reporting.

Fair manner

The 12 MPs who accompanied the DP said the media should respect the rights of others and report in a fair and factual manner.

Ruto added that the government was intending to roll out comprehensive programmess to ensure that 25 per cent of Constituency Development Funds would cater for bursaries for needy students.

He noted that from next year the Jubilee government will start providing loans to students pursing diploma courses in middle level colleges.