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Even as journalists covered Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium, it was clear something more important preoccupied their mind.


Campaigns against the passing of the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008 overshadowed the celebrations on radio and television stations.

Appeals to President Kibaki to send the draconian Bill back to Parliament went parallel with the pomp and colour at Nyayo stadium.                                                                           Journalists Protesting The Media Bill.

Despite the President and Prime Minister Raila Odinga steering clear of the issue, the media and public anger was conspicuous. In the field and newsrooms, journalists ensured the 45th Jamhuri Day events did not obscure their cry for freedom and justice.

The media had made frantic efforts to intercept the Bill before it got to the floor of the House. But MPs, angered by a parallel campaign to have their allowances taxed, saw in this Bill a weapon to hit back and punish the media. Without minding the consequences, it took only 25 out of the 222 MPs to pass it this week.

Now that the horse has bolted, focus has turned on the President to stop it.

Street protests

Yesterday, television stations juxtaposed the celebrations with pictures of street protests. They scrolled on screens calls by diplomats, media organisations and individuals condemning the passing of the Bill.

Commentators interrupted the Jamuhuri Day subject to remind the President and the nation how some clauses in the Bill could hurt freedom of expression.


Not even the State-owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation was left out. They carried on the campaign even as Raila and Kibaki were addressing the nation.


Yet this was just the peek of a campaign the media has conducted since last year to ensure the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill did not become law in its present form.

On Thursday evening, KTN Managing Editor Linus Kaikai iced it with a personal letter to President Kibaki, urging him to correct the wrong done by Parliament. Kaikai reminded Kibaki of a recent tete-a-tete they had at Maasai Mara Game reserve. He reminded him of his past pledges to protect the media and took him through instances when journalists and media houses had been unlawfully raided and harassed by State authorities.

On Madaraka Day last year, Kibaki assured the country the protection of freedom of expression and the Press. He said the Government would continue to work with the media to ensure Press freedom is respected and enriched. He said this was essential not only because it is a basic right but also because it is vital for development of democracy. Towards the end of the year, then Information Minister Mutahi Kagwe held numerous sessions with Media Owners Association (MOA) over the same Bill. Eventually Mutahi bowed to public pressure and shelved it.

In came his successor Samuel Poghisio, who reintroduced the Bill this year. From the MOA, the Kenya Editors Guild to the Correspondents Association, the minister has heard them all. In the past three weeks, media owners have held five high-level meetings with Government officials over the Bill. The proposal was to defer the debate to allow more consultations.

Poghisio says the Government has no interest in muzzling the media or to control their content. But judging from history, there is every legitimate reason to express reservations.
Courtesy Of Wahome Thuku of the standard