Members of Parliament have once again set the stage for public outrage following the passing of a bill aimed at gagging media coverage on the National Assembly.
On Wednesday, the legislators introduced a clause in the Powers and Privileges Bill that would impose heavy penalties on journalists who publish libelous material touching on the National Assembly.
The clause, Section 34, provides that: “A person who publishes any false or scandalous libel on Parliament, its committees or its proceedings or speaks words defamatory of Parliament its committee or its proceedings is liable to a fine or jail term”.
The clause imposes a Sh500,000 fine or a two-year jail term for defaming MPs in an offence termed as “defamation of parliament.”
The MPs however, dropped a clause which required journalists to seek the authority of the Speaker and Committee Chairmen before covering House and committee proceedings respectively.
In addition, the lawmakers sought to shield themselves from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The MPs voted to stop the Clerk of either the Assembly or the Senate from inviting the DPP to order investigations into the wrongdoing of MPs within Parliament corridors.
They further rejected the setting up of an internal ombudsman's office to investigate illegal activities including abuse of office, fraud, corruption, extortion and bribery.
A section of legislators led by Majority leader Aden Duale, were opposed to the bill but lacked enough support to stop it, maintaining the move was inappropriate.
"This amendment is scandalous, it is serious. We can't accept it. How do you make a person to commit a crime by publishing parliamentary reports? How? We represent the people of Kenya. If you chose to be a public servant an MP, you have to be ready for public scrutiny. If you chose public service, you have to be ready for consequences," said Duale.
While majority of the MPs opposed the appointment of an internal ombudsman arguing that it was 'dangerous', a good number on the other hand supported the move.
"A lot of times we turn a blind eye on things which are wrong. The question begs, who watches the watchman. There's this issue of mileage claims, we need someone to check the system..." stated Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo.
The contentious Bill now awaits approval by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
