Kalonzo says Bill will soil Kenya’s name

By ONESMUS NZIOKA and DANIEL NZIA

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has warned that the new Bill to gag the media is soiling Kenya’s name internationally.

“I have just jetted in from outside Kenya, and I can tell you our country’s image out there is already tainted by this Media Bill. Pray that the President does not assent to it.”

The former VP said the draconian law passed by Parliament this week, would take the country back to the dark days, and water down the hard fought gains of a free press. Kalonzo was addressing mourners during the burial of veteran journalist Nzau Kalulu, at his father’s farm in Kitundu location in Mbooni constituency on Friday.

The emotional burial ceremony was attended by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, Governor Kivutha Kibwana, MPs Joe Mutambu, Kisoi Munyao, Richard Makenga, Stephen Mule, County Women Representative Rose Museo and a host of journalists.

“We want to issue a notice to the MPs that we shall not accept such and will stand by our two feet to protect the media,” said Kalonzo.

Mutula Jnr termed the bill an attempt to economically suppress the media.

“No judicial court can award damages amounting to Sh20 million on the account of what this Bill proposes. Why do our parliamentarians think they have that power to prescribe unlawful penalties against our media?” he posed. “We advise the media to go to court and challenge that decision, and we, the legal minds, will rally behind them,” Mutula Jnr said.

Matungulu MP Stephen Mule said not all MPs were in support of the Bill, urging that Jubilee legislators rode on their numbers in Parliament to have their way.

However, Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu (Wiper), defended the Bill, saying Kenyans were being misinformed about its contents.