National Assembly to debate controversial security bill and Joseph Nkaissery's appointment

Deputy President William Ruto at the burial of Kenya Seed Managing Director’s wife Janet Bett in Nandi County where he called on the National Assembly to approve the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill. [Photo: DPPS]

NAIROBI: The National Assembly will reconvene for a special session tomorrow to consider two issues that have had the nation on tenterhooks for the past week.

The House is expected to sit and deliberate on amendments to the controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, and a report on the approval of Kajiado Central MP, Joseph Nkaissery as Interior Cabinet Secretary. A gazette notice signed by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi confirmed the morning and afternoon sittings, which are likely to be heated due to the nature of business on the order paper.

“Pursuant to Standing Order 29 (3) of the Standing orders of the National Assembly, it is notified for the information of members of the National Assembly and the general public that two specials sittings will be held in the National Assembly Chamber in the Main Parliament Building on Thursday December 18 2014,” stated the gazette notice.

Although Nkaissery’s name is expected to be passed without much acrimony, it is the tabling of the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill that could prove divisive.

The House was scheduled to proceed for recess on Thursday last week, but members had to postpone their holiday to consider the two urgent matters. The position of Inspector General of Police has been in abeyance since the resignation of David Kimaiyo.

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Other than the two issues, the National Assembly is also expected to consider a motion relating to the report on the committee on Constituency Development Fund (CDF) on the approval of members of the CDF board.

The last time a special session of the House was called was during deliberations on the approval of President Kenyatta’s diplomatic appointees mid this year.

Meanwhile, Deputy President William Ruto yesterday called on the National Assembly to pass the security bill. Mr Ruto while terming security as a political, tribal and religious-free issue, censured the opposition for “unnecessary and misinformed” disputing of the Bill which has Kenyans’ basic need of security at heart.

“The Constitution guarantees the Bill of Rights, the passing of the security bill will ensure all Kenyans enjoy their right to life also, which is currently undermined by terrorism and criminal elements,” said Ruto.

The DP termed the Opposition’s move to oppose the bill as “useless arguments” which he said were born of political conspiracies to make their agenda relevant.

“The law will not undermine current constitutional provisions on security and human rights, it can only strengthen the present security apparatus and institutions as it will make every relevant agency accountable of its service delivery,” said Ruto.

Those opposing the bill claim that the presidency and the pro-security bill leaders are inflicting fear on citizens in its lobbying towards the passage of “unconstitutional laws”.