Human rights activists in Western Kenya have voiced their concerns over contentious sections in the Security Laws (Amendments) Bill 2014 which they say will return the country to the dark days.
Co-ordinator of the Western Kenya Human Rights Network Antonina Okuta says the bill should be interrogated and contentious areas revised before being passed into law.
Okuta said the timing of the bill is also worrying, adding that the members of the public have not been given sufficient time for participation.
She said public participation as enshrined in the constitution is very crucial given that the bill has several provisions that will affect fundamental rights of Kenyans.
“The provision which will allow the cabinet secretary to regulate public meetings is draconian,” Outa said, adding that giving the executive the power to regulate when and where people can assemble or demonstrate does not conform to the constitution.
Speaking to the press, she said the amendment of the Prisons Act to allow the commissioner of prisons to confine people convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in a separate part of the same prison is not right.
She said the provision purports to transfer judicial powers to the commissioner of prisons, adding that once a court passes judgement and punishes one, then the commissioner should not be allowed to further punish by secluding certain offenders.
She described as a threat to human rights the amendments of the National Intelligence Service Act to allow NIS officers to stop and detain people they witness committing an offense.
“NIS officers are not uniformed adding that even people who are not officers will purport to be detaining people, said the co-ordinator.
Okuta, however, noted that even though insecurity is a main issue in the country it cannot be addressed by making such proposals in the bill which will undermine fundamental human rights.
“There is a likelihood of someone challenging the bill in court if the government insists on moving forward without amended,” added Okuta.
Easter Achieng of Kenya Female Advisory Organisation while speaking on the same topic, said that the bill also curtails media freedom, adding that activists countrywide must stand united now and stop the bill from being passed into law.