President Uhuru Kenyatta assents to security amendment bill

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the security law will improve the country's ability to avert terror attacks. (Photo:PSCU)

Nairobi: President Uhuru Kenyatta today signed into law the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014, which provides a firm framework for the fight against terrorism.

Speaking during a televised address to the nation shortly after signing the Bill into law at State House, Nairobi, the President said the amendments do not go against the Bill of Rights or any other provision of the Constitution.

Uhuru called on Kenyans to read the new law for themselves instead of depending on interpretations that mislead them.

“I am confident that you will find that there is nothing in this law that goes against the Bill of Rights or any provision of the constitution.  Its intent is one; to protect the lives and property of all citizens,” said the President.

The President criticized Members of Parliament saying their deplorable behavior in Parliament Tursday, denied Kenyans the opportunity to follow the proceedings of Parliament.

He said those who disrupted the smooth operation of Parliament were oblivious to the threat that is upon the country.

The President said the new law improves the capacity of the security agencies to detect, deter and disrupt threats to national security.

“For the first time, we now have a law that focuses on prevention and disruption of threats. Further, the law allows for the use of technology in processing and advancing the ability for successful prosecution of suspects,” said the President.

The new law establishes an institutional framework for the counter-terrorism war and will create synergy between the different security agencies by creating clear command structures.

“This synergy is cascaded from the highest level to the lowest level through the national Government security structures,” he said.

The President said the law also raises the threshold for public and state officers who are charged with the responsibility of protecting Kenya and its people.

The raised threshold was necessary because of the lack of integrity and its role in compromising national security, the President said.

“The law provides for heavy penalties for any transgression,” he said.

Uhuru said the Government has also set in motion reforms to rectify command and control problems in the security sector.

“We have also commenced wide-scale administrative and operational reforms that align command and control, improve doctrine and modalities of work and improve operational effectiveness on the ground,” said the President.

Uhuru said the new law was just one of the many measures that need to be put in place in order to guarantee security.

“We must remember that we are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks. I therefore call upon each one of us to remain vigilant and share any information that would aid in securing our country with relevant authorities,” the President said.

He wished peace and prosperity for all Kenyans during the festive season.

Deputy President William Ruto was present during the signing ceremony of the Bill and was also with the President during the live address.

The Bill was presented to the President for his signature by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi who was accompanied by the Clerk, Justin Bundi.

Also present were Leader of Majority Aden Duale, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Monica Juma, Solicitor-General Njee Muturi, Members of Parliament Ndung’u Gethenji (Tetu) and Elias Bare Shill (Fafi).

Mr Gethenji is the chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee while Mr Shill is the vice chairman.