This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30546951
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Kenya security law: President Uhuru Kenyatta signs bill | Kenya security law: President Uhuru Kenyatta signs bill |
(17 days later) | |
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial security bill which saw MPs trade blows in parliament. | Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial security bill which saw MPs trade blows in parliament. |
It was passed on Thursday during a chaotic parliamentary session, with opposition MPs warning that Kenya was becoming a "police state". | It was passed on Thursday during a chaotic parliamentary session, with opposition MPs warning that Kenya was becoming a "police state". |
The government has said it needs more powers to fight militant Islamists threatening Kenya's security. | The government has said it needs more powers to fight militant Islamists threatening Kenya's security. |
Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has stepped up attacks in Kenya. | Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has stepped up attacks in Kenya. |
The new anti-terror legislation requires journalists to obtain police permission before investigating or publishing stories on domestic terrorism and security issues. | |
It also stipulates that police must approve publication or broadcasting of information relating to investigations on terrorism. | It also stipulates that police must approve publication or broadcasting of information relating to investigations on terrorism. |
"We must all remember that we are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks," Mr Kenyatta said in a televised address, defending the law. | "We must all remember that we are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks," Mr Kenyatta said in a televised address, defending the law. |
He denied that it infringed on civil liberties. | He denied that it infringed on civil liberties. |
Stripping punishments | Stripping punishments |
The BBC's Dennis Okari in the capital, Nairobi, says the security bill has gone through various amendments. | The BBC's Dennis Okari in the capital, Nairobi, says the security bill has gone through various amendments. |
The provision giving the security and intelligence agencies power to intercept phone conversations without a court order was dropped, he says. | The provision giving the security and intelligence agencies power to intercept phone conversations without a court order was dropped, he says. |
A court order must be sought to hold terror suspects within 24 hours, after which they can be held for 360 days, up from the previous period of 90 days. | A court order must be sought to hold terror suspects within 24 hours, after which they can be held for 360 days, up from the previous period of 90 days. |
Anti-terror measures: | Anti-terror measures: |
Anti-stripping measure: | Anti-stripping measure: |
The opposition, civil society groups and the media have all said they will go to court to challenge the legislation. | The opposition, civil society groups and the media have all said they will go to court to challenge the legislation. |
The legislation also included a clause providing for a minimum of 10 years in prison to anyone convicted of forcibly undressing someone. | The legislation also included a clause providing for a minimum of 10 years in prison to anyone convicted of forcibly undressing someone. |
This follows several incidents of women have their clothes ripped off and being sexually abused by a group of men in public. | This follows several incidents of women have their clothes ripped off and being sexually abused by a group of men in public. |
Thursday's special parliamentary sitting, which turned into mayhem live on television, shocked many Kenyans, our correspondent says. | Thursday's special parliamentary sitting, which turned into mayhem live on television, shocked many Kenyans, our correspondent says. |
Opposition MPs tore up papers and chanted anti-government slogans - there was a fist-fight and the deputy speaker had water poured over her. | Opposition MPs tore up papers and chanted anti-government slogans - there was a fist-fight and the deputy speaker had water poured over her. |
Mr Kenyatta condemned their behaviour as "deplorable" and said the law was only meant to "protect the lives and property of all Kenyans and disrupt any threats to our national security". | Mr Kenyatta condemned their behaviour as "deplorable" and said the law was only meant to "protect the lives and property of all Kenyans and disrupt any threats to our national security". |
"May peace dwell within our borders during this festive season," he said at the end of his address. | "May peace dwell within our borders during this festive season," he said at the end of his address. |
Since last month, al-Shabab has killed 64 people in two attacks in the north-eastern region of Mandera, which borders Somalia. Last year it was also responsible for the Westgate shopping centre siege in Nairobi in which 67 people died. | Since last month, al-Shabab has killed 64 people in two attacks in the north-eastern region of Mandera, which borders Somalia. Last year it was also responsible for the Westgate shopping centre siege in Nairobi in which 67 people died. |
Kenya sent troops into Somalia three years ago, and they now make up part of the African Union force helping to fight the militant group. | Kenya sent troops into Somalia three years ago, and they now make up part of the African Union force helping to fight the militant group. |
Correction 5 January: We have amended this story to remove reference to a clause allowing terror suspects to be detained for a year, as this was altered before the bill was passed by parliament. |