Wiper joins opposition against media Bill

File | NATION Wiper Democratic Movement Party Party chairman David Musila has said the party will marshal its members in the National Assembly to reject proposed changes in the media Bill. 

In Summary

• The Wiper party called all Kenyans to safeguard the gains that opened up democratic space and ensure the country does not slide back in the dark days.
• Temporary Speaker Rachel Shebesh told MPs on Thursday this is likely to be the case because they already voted to shorten the period from 20 to 14 days.

By JOHN NGIRACHU
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By MACHARIA MWANGI
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Wiper Democratic Movement Party will marshal its members in the National Assembly to reject proposed changes in the media Bill.

Party chairman David Musila said the party was alarmed by attempts by government to muzzle the media and the civil society.

Speaking after the party held a two-day retreat at a Naivasha hotel Saturday, Mr Musila said the proposed changes are against the Constitution.

“The party is concerned with the emerging trend by the government to muzzle the media and the numerous back door miscellaneous legislation brought to the floor the House,” he said.

He said the party had instructed its members in the National Assembly to ensure that the final product will ensure a free press.

The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill gives the disputes tribunal sweeping powers over the media, including imposing fines of upto Sh500,000 against individual journalists and Sh20 million against media houses found to have violated the code of conduct. According to the Bill, the fines become debts that can be recovered against the parties.

The Wiper party called all Kenyans to safeguard the gains that opened up democratic space and ensure the country does not slide back in the dark days.

During the press briefing, the party also accused the government of what it termed as “emerging interference of the Judiciary”.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka questioned the rationale behind the removal of six Judicial Service Commission members

.

Mr Musila too faulted the government over the upsurge of insecurity in some parts of the country, with the party calling on the Jubilee government to take all measures necessary, to protect the lives of Kenyans.

Mr Musila termed the two-day retreat as a success with governors, senators, MPs and national executive members attending.

Meanwhile, the push to have the government keep off the affairs of the media enters a crucial phase Tuesday as MPs reconsider the Bill rejected by President Uhuru Kenyatta. MPs are scheduled to consider the memorandum from the President accompanying his refusal to assent to the lopsided Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill.

With Parliament set to begin its Christmas break on Friday, MPs will be in a rush to ensure the Media Council of Kenya Bill is also passed.


Both of these Bills were supposed to have been passed by December 27. The National Assembly in August agreed to extend the constitutional deadline by four months.

With media interest groups criticising the memorandum, the only hope lies with Parliament. It will take 233 MPs to overturn the president’s instructions.

On Friday, the Editors’ Guild and the Kenya Correspondents Association said they would lobby MPs to get the numbers. A silent protest is also planned to deliver a memorandum to the steps of Parliament.

Also scheduled for conclusion before the Christmas break is the voluminous Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, with its proposals to scrap the Transitional Authority and cap foreign funding for non-governmental organisations.

Already, indications are that the public’s submissions could be rendered useless because MPs already agreed to shorten the period for its scrutiny by the Justice and Legal Affairs committee.

Temporary Speaker Rachel Shebesh told MPs on Thursday this is likely to be the case because they already voted to shorten the period from 20 to 14 days.

The National Assembly Clerk had placed an advertisement in the papers the same day asking the public to submit views on the same Bill.




Makadara MP Benson Mutura (TNA) said despite an advertisement on Thursday inviting the public to submit memoranda, it was almost impossible to include their submissions into the Bill, before goes to the Third Reading, the last stage.

Ms Shebesh said the die was cast when MPs voted to reduce the time.

“When we reduced the time for publication of a Bill, it means we are reducing the time and parameters that are allowed within that Bill, including the public participation. Once you are a member and you have agreed to reduce time for a Bill, you need to know the repercussions,” she told Mr Mutura.