MPs mull removal of sticky clauses in Security Laws Bill

Three parliamentary committees have proposed to remove contentious clauses of Security Laws (Amendment) Bill even as the Opposition prepares to lay siege on Parliament to block MPs from passing it.

The committee on Administration and National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations and that of Justice and Legal Affairs have agreed to drop clauses that curtail media freedom, freedom of assembly and allow detention without trial.

The House teams also proposed changes to the Bill to ensure that covert operations to be undertaken by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) are subject to court supervision or sanction.

They also proposed that a tribunal be created when the Inspector General of Police is to be removed from office. The Bill had proposed that the President appoints and fire the Inspector General.

The National Police Service Commission would be locked out of the recruitment of the next IG if the MPs approve an amendment to this effect.

The committees also amended sections that require hotel owners and landlords to keep client records and present them to the police once a week.

Majority Leader Aden Duale said after a lengthy meeting with the three committees that they had reached a compromise to remove clauses in the Bill that violate the Constitution.

“We have taken a bipartisan approach in consolidating all the amendments by the three committees and submissions presented by the public.

Rest assured that we will present you with a Bill that is constitutional and which will serve to protect the lives and property of Kenyans,” said Mr Duale.

Committee chairmen, Samuel Chepkonga (Justice), Asman Kamama (National Security) and Ndung’u Gethenji (Defence) said the amendments were agreed on through consensus.

“We have agreed to remove anything that offends the Bill of Rights” said Mr Chepkonga after the meeting.

Solicitor-General Njee Muturi, who drafted the contentious Bill, attended the meeting with his officers.