This is the height of betrayal. I thought Kibaki was wiser.
Sajini

Kibaki signs Communication Bill


Updated 11 min(s) ago
By Kipkirui K’Telwa

President Kibaki has signed the controversial Communications Amendment Bill, 2008, into law.

Despite strong appeal by media stakeholders urging him not to assent to the draconian Bill, the President did finally put his ink on the law that many practitioners describe as threat to free press.

"I have carefully considered the concerns that were raised by the media, which mainly relate to Section 88 of the Kenya Communications Act, 1998 which gives the government power to restrict media operations during a state of emergency," said Kibaki in a statement issued on Friday evening.

He urged the aggrieved media stakeholders to address the contentious issue separately saying by refusing to assent to the Bill, he would not have addressed the main concern of the media.

Last Jamhuri Day celebrations were marred by protests by both the civil society activists and journalists who engaged the government in protests over the controversial Communication Bill.

During the demonstrations, human rights activist Mwalimu Mati was arrested alongside his wife. Radio presenters Caroline Mutoko, Larry Asego and Walter Mong’are popularly known as Nyambane were either arrested or roughed up by presidential security guards and anti-riot police.

The law that Kibaki assented to on Friday gives the government sweeping powers to regulate media and even conduct raids during a state of emergency.

The law gives the Information minister powers to control what can be broadcast, when and in what form.

During the debate in Parliament, Information and Communications minister Samuel Poghisio defended the passing of the Bill, saying that the Government had no intentions of raiding media houses and that the clause was only retained as a safety measure.

"We do not raid media houses any more. This is only a measure that can be taken during emergencies," he said.

But at the height of the chaotic, 2007 general election, the government deployed paramilitary personnel at KICC media centre who flushed out journalists, sealed off the facility then switched off live transmission facility.

The government also banned live coverage of events immediately President Kibaki was sworn in late in the evening triggering of violent chaos across the country.

In March 2006, hooded goons raided the Standard Group offices at I&M Towers and Likoni Road, beating up employees, breaking doors, stealing employees’ mobile phones, removing CCTV cameras and carting away computers.

The goons later took KTN TV off air for about 13 hours and disabled the printing plant in Likoni, before setting on fire thousands of copies of that day’s edition. The attack resulted in a loss of millions of shillings.

In 2005, the First Lady Lucy Kibaki stormed the Nation Centre where she allegedly slapped a television cameraman and seized reporters' notebooks and tape recorders to protest at media’s treatment of the first family.

for clarity i copy the offending section 88 of the kenya communication bill



88. (1) On the declaration of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety and tranquillity, the Minister for the time being responsible for internal security may, by order in writing, direct any officer duly authorised in that behalf, to take temporary possession of any telecommunication apparatus or any radio communication station or apparatus within Kenya, and -
(a) in the case of radio communication, that any communication or class of communication shall or shall not be emitted from any radio communication station or apparatus taken under this section; or

(b) in the case of telecommunication, that any communication within Kenya from any person or class of persons relating to any particular subject shall be intercepted and disclosed to such person as may be specified in the direction; or

(c) in the case of postal services, that any postal article or class or description of postal article in the course of transmission by post within Kenya shall be intercepted or detained or shall be delivered to any officer mentioned in the order or shall be disposed of in such manner as the Minster may direct.

(2) A certificate signed by the Minister for the time being responsible for internal security shall be conclusive proof of the existence of a public emergency, or that any act done under subsection (1) was done in the public safety or tranquillity.

(3) A telecommunication apparatus constructed, maintained or operated by any person within Kenya or any postal article which is seized by any officer duly authorised under subsection (1) (a) shall be returned to the telecommunication operator at the end of the emergency or where such apparatus or article is not returned, full compensation in respect thereof, to be determined by the Minister, shall be paid to the owner.

(4) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Minister under subsection (3) as to the compensation payable in respect of anything seized under this section may appeal to the High Court within fourteen days of such decision.


To me the bill has a noble intention of regulating (note not controlling)the media industry. It is worthy of note that self regulation of the industry has failed the media owners association which was to be the industry watchdog turned into a social caucus of the priviliged.

The power of media cannot be underestimated especially where self interest is concerned a good example is the role of hate Radio in the Rwanda genocide and at home electral violence. (see waki report on role of media). It is therefore not entirely without merit that any goverment should seek power to contain abuse and safeguard national interest in emergency situations.

In the west they probably do not legistlate but they have technology to jam offending broadcasts.

It is hypocritical for citizenly to apeeal to president to reject a bill passed by their own representatives. Does it mean that the house of parliament is not representative of the will of the people? If yes we should be calling for its disbandment.

I can see an emerging trend of parliamentaly dictatorship.

Kibaki if Kibaki is a traitor whom did he betray Parlament (Kenyan people) or Media ?


The airwaves are afterall a national resource

Muhuthia,
Kibaki betrayed the Kenyan people

My reference is this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJB_HGjlmek

You see, Kibaki swore to defend and act according to the constitution. While part of the his constitutional duties, as you rightly point out is to sign bills into law, he has the discretion to veto bills that are incosnsitent with the aspirations of the citizens. He has done that before. My beef with the bill is that it gives the minister immense powers to decide what constitute "interest of public safety and tranquility"

During the dark days of Moi tyranny, anyone could be arrested for engaging in action that were 'a breach of peace'. This could mean anything that threatened the status quo. Peace and tranquility to the drafters and passers of the Bill is turning a blind eye to their greed and incompetence. Holding the government accountable will be interpreted in this context. Gagig and scaring the public watchdog is a veiled attempt to shild the government from scrutiny. I smell something sinister.

Sajini,

I agree with you 100%.

I also note that today Rev Njoya, Nobel Laurette Wangari Maathai and even PCEA Bishop voice the same concern about the BETRAYALS.

Let me give you two scenarios:

1982- AG Njonjo drafts a "single party" clause which is presented to Parliament by VP Mwai Kibaki and passed by less than 40$ of MP's. This single clause changes the positive future of Kenya by banning freedom of expressions, association and makes Kenya a POLICE STATE. By 1984, AG Njonjo is kicked out and VP Kibaki is sacked by 1988. They spend the next 5-10 years agitating for return to MULTI-PARTY and thousands of Kenyans lose their lives, their properties, are EXILED abroad and numerous corruption takes place (Goldenberg) as MOI uses the NJONJO-KIBAKI clauses to rule by FORCE. Voice of Kenya (VOK later Kenya Broadcasting Corporation) is used as an effective tool to FOOL the masses (especially the rural ones and outside the big-2 tribes) who vote MOI and KANU back time and again.

(B) 2002- CKRC under Ghai has developed a relatively good Katiba which separates powers of the presidency with parliament, some FORM of decentralization (devolution), Land REFORMS, recommends PM office and enhances Electoral Laws and Judiciary Independence. Almost all the major political parties (KANU, NDP, DP, Ford, SDP, SAFINA, KENDA, etc) are in agreement UNTIL the pact is presented to the Kalenjin Mafia who shut it down and convince MOI to disband the CKRC just before the 2002 elections. By 2007, the Kalenjin elites (who went on to lose the 2002 elections) are crying for the SAME constition which has devolution and separates powers and includes LAND REFORMS.


(C) 2008- Kibaki forces return a defeated Media-Control Bill (defeated in 2007) back to Parliament and sneak in conditions to GAG the media and ensure Govt control of Media content. ***Prediction*** In 2013, MP's Kabando wa Kabando, Dr Nguyai, Esther Murugi, Sam Poghiso, Dan Muthama, etc will be on the streets FACING TEARGAS after TEARGAS when the next regime (MAY NOT be led by a person from Central Province) tramples their rights and the MEDIA (they had gagged) wont cover them.

Whats the message Im sending?:
------------------------------

WHAT YOU CONSPIRE IN BLINDED-REVENGE TO ENACT WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU BIG!!!

In 5 years all those here yelling loud in support will have figured out the reality.

Thats how in THEIR FOOLISHNESS, the Kiambu Mafia of 1960-70's created MOI and the Kalenjin-Mafia of the 1980-90's created KIBAKI and the MKM-Mafias of the 2000's will create the next monster. AND EACH MONSTER HAS GONE ON TO DEVOUR AND ANNIHILATE THE MONSTERS BEFORE IT.

Sajini

I am with you as far as concern for media freedom and freedom of expression for that matter is concerned. I am not a Kibaki apologist I seek to put the issue of betrayal into perspective.

The issue of media regulation has been on for about a decade now. At the onset of the bill the media fraternity opposed it and put a case forward for self regulation (remember Mr Kiboro Mr Ezekiel Mutua etc) they proceded to form the media owners association which latter became the quasi legal Media council. What is the record of Media council. Concensus even in the media fraternity is that SELF REGULATION FAILED.

The irresponsibility of Kenyan media has called for the goverment to act.
I say Kibaki was true to his goverments agenda for a wholistic piece of legislation on communications in line with ICT policy and encouragement of the nascent industry(BPO Mpesa etc). The bill was discussed in cabinet approved by cabinet commitee chaired by the right hon. R.A Odinga and presented in parliament as a goverment bill. Anybody with issues to raise lobbied at this point and the PEOPLES REPRESENTATIVES passed the bill. Kibaki was bound to sign it unless he had good reasons not to.
If the law is unconstitutional then the third arm of goverment is there and in any case any law inconsistent with the constitution is null and void to the extent of the inconsistency.

Those members of parliament yapping around that the law should not have been signed are the hypocrites and betrayers unfortunately this includes our PM who is in control of the house and its legistrative agenda.

On the balance the law is good for ICT but kind of harsh on the media. The media cannot pretend that what they want is what the Kenyan people want, theirs is a commercial interest, a ruthless commercial interest. They need to get a peoples representative (also called MP) to move amendments to the Act.

Kibaki not signing his own goverment's bill would have been ridiculus.

So if the Cabinet (made up of thieves from ALL political parties) decide to pass death sentences to all Catholic Priests, and then Parliament (made up of even more thieves from ALL political parties) passes them into LAW, then KIBAKI is OBLIGATED TO SIGN THEM INTO LAW ???

Only a fellow thief would SIGN into LAW what OTHER FELLOW THIEVES (from ALL the POLITICAL PARTIES) have passed.

In 5 years, those supporting these DRACONIAN measures SUGARCOATED-with-CANDY will be seeing the reality for what it is. NEVER MAKE GOVt more powerful like we seem to be doing.

THATS WHY WHEN KENYANS IN BRITAIN WENT TO DOWNING ST EARLY THIS YEAR TO PROTEST AND GIVE A PETITION, THEY WERE WARMLY RECEIVED AND THEN ACCORDED RESPECT TO GIVE THEIR DOCUMENTS.

WE DID NOT SEE PM-BROWNS SECURITY HUFF AND PUFF ALL OVER DOWNING STREET GAGGING THE KENYANS AND CONFISICATIING THEM AND BEATING THEM TO A PULP UNTIL THEY ENDED UP IN ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL.

JUST BECAUSE SOME OF US ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE TWO CHICKEN-HEADS IN THE COALITION, SHOULD NOT MAKE US NOT WORRY WHEN FUTURE BRUTAL BUFFON LIKE (AKA MOI) TAKE OVER AND USE THE VERY SAME CLAUSES TO BEAT ALL OF US INTO A PULP AND SILENCE AS THE MEDIA WILL NOT COVER DISSENT.

regulating the media does not mean controlling the media. someone should tell that to kibaki. otherwise we have created another section-2A for the media. and we will all pay the price for this folly. in time!!!!

The CONSTITUTION is supposed to PROTECT the WEAKEST MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY WHILE CONTROLLING the MOST POWERFUL MEMBERS.

quote:

Originally posted by Muhuthia:
Sajini

I am with you as far as concern for media freedom and freedom of expression for that matter is concerned.

Kibaki not signing his own goverment's bill would have been ridiculus.

From the 1982 Bunge Archives:
**************************
"...On June 9, the Kenyan Government, led in Parliament by Vice-President Mwai Kibaki , the Leader of Government Business, moved a procedural motion to reduce the fourteen day period of publication of a Bill to six days. On clearing this impediment, Throup and Hornsby noted that"legislation (drafted by Charles Njonjo’s legal adviser Paul Muite ), [u]was rushed through the National Assembly by [/u] Vice-President Mwai Kibaki to make a Kenya a de jure single party state ….Kibaki and Njonjo made all the "debate" on the Bill except for interruptions of applause from the House; an intervention by Nicholas Biwott, the Minister for Regional Development, Science and Technology, who hastened the Bill along; and an irritant from Orengo who interrupted Njonjo …. All 158 members present voted in favour of the Bill on the second reading. The speaker, Mr. Fred Mati , in a further [u] setting aside of the rules [/u], committed the Bill to a committee chaired by Moses arap Keino . In no time, arap Keino reported back that they had approved the Bill without amendment . The Third Reading took place immediately while some MPs left . This time 151 members were present including Koigi wa Wamwere who had joined the sitting, [u] They all voted in favour with neither a nay vote nor an abstention [/u]. [color=GREEN] The amendment had been passed in an hour and 45 minutes. President Moi assented to the Bill making it a Constitutional Law on June 17, 1982. [/color]


From the 1988 Bunge Archives:
**************************
- Njonjo sacked as Minister, taken to Commission of Inquiry, charged with Treason and curtailed in his political or economic interests.
- Ngumba and Rubia are designated as Govt enemies and flee to exile. Later on they are joined by Matiba
- Koigi wa Wamwere dabbles as a hot-bed opposition MP who wants to repeal the 1982-clause
- Kibaki is sacked, defaced and demoted and curtailed in Nyeri by the Kalenjin elite, Karanja is abused for a year and then SAITOTI comes in
- GOLDENBERG is hatched and executed during this same period. Kenya loses a staggering 20+ Billions
- And the biggest losers happen to be STABEX-farmers (tea, coffeee) from Central
- Mati (MUKAMBA like MUTUA, KIVUITU, etc) is long gone. Biwott emerges as a borker and Keino is promoted.
- 60% of the MP's who voted for it are not in Bunge. Post-1988 elections, those MP's now outside agitate for repeal
- MOI-KANU clamps downs hard on Kenyans and the Biggest casulaties of his regime are the Kikuyu community
- This is the same community that DRAFTED the clause that led Kenyan into a single party state
- Hundreds of thousands of Kikuyus in RV, Central and Eastern are terrorized and bankrupted
- And since Media (VoK) was under state control, no one outside the affected areas knew
- Budalangi frarmers continued witht heir lives while the Kiambaa farmer was harassed into a pauper

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/510730/-/...vqf031z/-/index.html

Opinion
Why should Government use leaflets?

By MACHARIA GAITHO:Posted Monday, January 5 2009 at 14:32

THINGS MUST BE GETTING desperate when the Government opts to communicate with its people through pamphleteering.

I’m not kidding, the streets of the Nairobi city centre on Monday were littered with leaflets, courtesy of Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua, trying to explain the Government’s position on the anti-media law.

Now, long gone are the days when leaflets had to be strewn furtively on the streets.

In my memory, the last time such methods of communication were commonplace was during the one-party dictatorship, when various dissident groupings, denied legitimate channels and threatened with arrest and long prison terms if caught sharing their seditious thoughts, resorted to leaflets.

Things have changed a great deal since then. Kanu is not the sole legal political party; indeed Kanu is no longer in the power equation. The former opposition that used to be targeted for brutal treatment now runs the show.

Some fellows — then classed “enemies of development” and “disgruntled elements” — who used to be constant guests of the State for spreading seditious anti-Nyayo thoughts through underground literature, now enjoy state motorcades and security as members of the Cabinet and decision-making organs.

They smoothly made the transition from impoverished dissidents to members of the wabenzi tribe, and had no problem learning the ropes on where to cut the best deals in the oil business, maize trading, security procurement, sugar imports, privatisation and anywhere else one in Government can make a quick buck even if the rest of the country starves.

And they still favour pamphleteering as a means of communications? I suppose you can take a villager out of the village, but taking the village out of the villager is another proposition altogether.

But there may well be some logic to it, all. It takes a Government filled with self-doubt and insecurity to craft laws that are designed to kill the free and independent media, never mind that it rode on that media before it got to power.

A peculiar feature of African governments is that the more they feel threatened, the more they turn to repression and anti-democratic tendencies; and the more they turn to grabbing and looting in the vain hope that they can amass enough wealth to buy off the opponents they cannot otherwise vanquish.

THE MORE THEY GRAB, THE MORE they must turn to oppression and repression to keep their foes at bay, and the more they must silence all independent voices, starting with the media.

The vicious circle is complete when the Government resorts to strewing leaflets all over the place; afraid that even with all the means of communication at its command — including the public broadcasting service and the power to invade independent broadcasters and smash their equipment — its voice is still being ignored by the people.

* * *

There is another peculiar thing happening around this contentious anti-media legislation. President Kibaki’s coalition partner, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is crying foul and suggesting that the very existence of the coalition is endangered.

After playing mute during the entire process when the Kenya Communication (Amendment) Act was steered through Parliament, ODM is now saying that it was not party to the proposal and holding it up as another example of how they are being sidelined from the Government decision-making process.

There is, of course, little evidence that ODM legislators were opposed to the legislation. If anything, they were complicit by staying away from Parliament on the day and allowing such a critical law to be passed by some two dozen MPs.

Anyway, we are now being told that ODM will sponsor a Bill seeking repeal of the offensive clauses. How a political party that is part of government sponsors proposals likely to be opposed by the Government presents intriguing possibilities.

Let’s see how that pans out.

But still, there is the other issue of how the Grand Coalition functions. We have a President who retains executive power and a Prime Minister who is supposed to exercise general supervision and co-ordination of government.

Head of public service Francis Muthaura is the one who actually exercises supervision and coordination, making the post of Prime Minister superfluous. So apart from enjoying the trappings of power, why would Mr Odinga, want to remain in government?

This one looks like Mzlendo's blog page but I'll post on it anyway. I'll ask Mimi oe question:

Why do I want to support the media in their crusade against the Bill (now Law)?

Dont worry about the pros of the bill. Mutua and cohorts have adequately articulated them, albeit via 'pamphlets' (they are not getting any airtime, not from the media)

***

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/510588/-/u16wwq/-/index.html

News

Maathai says law will take country back to dark days
By JOHN NJAGI and HENRY NYARORA Posted Sunday, January 4 2009 at 19:21

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai on Sunday said the controversial Communications (Amendment) Bill should be returned to Parliament to amend clauses that curtail press freedom.

Prof Maathai challenged parliamentarians who cherished free media to ensure that the Bill is taken back to the House for amendment.

She criticised President Kibaki for signing the Bill into law, saying he had turned his back against a media that elevated him to the presidency, and said Kenyans would not give up basic freedoms for which they had fought for many years.

Prof Maathai is known for her efforts against the excesses of the Moi regime. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

Prof Maathai, who is also a former MP, said the law would give sweeping powers to the minister for Internal Security to raid media houses that failed to toe the government line.

“If the minister had the temerity to raid media houses in the absence of the law, I wonder how it will be with the passing of the Bill,” she said.

She recalled the dark days during the country’s fight for multi-party democracy when the Government determined what was to aired or printed. Then, arbitrary arrests were the order of the day.

And the retired head of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Rev Dr Timothy Njoya, has said the media should set its own agenda and stop nurturing ambitions of politicians who only turn against it once in power.

“I am one of those who fought alongside politicians in the second liberation that saw multi-partyism introduced in the country.

Indeed, the press helped a lot in achieving the freedom Kenyans yearned for, but unfortunately, this leadership is not any better than the one we fought against,” Rev Dr Njoya said in an interview with the Nation.

“It is time the press knew that politicians’ agenda is political power that usually bears political tyranny, but not the freedom of expression the media wants.”

Now mimi, could you post the bill here and indicate the offensive clauses? Are they really that offensive, or just ambiguus?

Dear WAMAX,

All along I thought you had read the BILL. Even as you sought to comment and give opinions in support of the ICT-Bill aka "Media Bill".

Kumbe hujaisoma? And you were commenting on something you have not read? On what criteria were you basing your opinions on? Or is it that if "someone has read it and said YES, its ok"!

Anyway, for the BILL, just go to the Govt Website or the Office of the Govt Spokeperson and download the Bill. Alternetaivley go to Bunge's website and also download the copies. Make sure to get a copy of the MP's who passed the Bill (they are only about 30-MP's). The proposer was Poghiso or Karua and seconder was Musila or Uhuru.

After reading it, then you can come back and ask questions. Its very hard to answer questions to someone who HAS NOT READ IT.

Its like asking me to ANSWER the QUESTION "1 + 1 =?" when the student/reader does not not Maths.

Ubarikiwe sana. Kenya ni yetu wote. Media ni yetu wote. We cant tolerate TYRANNY today because if we do, what will we do tomorrow!

While Media-Control and Accountability needs to be strengthened and enforced, HOWEVER, we cant tolerate GOVT CONTROL of MEDIA.

The last time we had such GOVT control was in MOI's time. And we all know NOW why DESPITE MOI bankrupting the country, certain regions (coz no Media except VoK and KBC) did not know the real NEWS (Truth). Thats why when the Kiambaa Tea Farmer, the Dagoretti Hawker, the Muranga Matatu Owner and the Nyeri Coffee farmer were harassed by MOI-KANU-SAITOTI, we still saw MOI-KANU voted back by other regions.

quote:

Originally posted by wamax:
Now mimi, could you post the bill here and indicate the offensive clauses? Are they really that offensive, or just ambiguus?

The Government has a responsibility to amend the newly signed Communications Act, Cabinet ministers allied to ODM have said.

Speaking after meeting Media Owners Association representatives on Tuesday, Lands minister James Orengo and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi vowed to amend the controversial law.

“We’ll be discussing this matter at a full Cabinet meeting ... We have to look at issues that make us appear retrogressive,” Mr Mudavadi said.

Mr Mudavadi defended the media, saying the clause that could be used to prohibit ownership of broadcast and print outlets — crossmedia ownership — was out of touch with technological reality.

In the first vigorous defence of the media by a senior political figure, Mr Mudavadi said the Act made little economic sense.

The two ministers said Parliament had made a mistake by passing the “retrogressive” Bill.

Sailed through

“MPs need to reflect seriously. And this is the time for them to take corrective measures,” the deputy PM said.

“The simple aspect that the law allows a person to open an ordinary citizen’s mail defies common sense,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also faulted the new Act for its lack of a clear timeframe of implementation in the case of ownership of multiple media outlets in both print and electronic domains.

“We have to create a predictable business environment, not laws that send investors scampering away,” he said.

Mr Orengo said the passage of the law was done for reasons that “can’t be reasonably justified in a democratic society.”

“The implementation of such a law is the most ludicrous position that Kenyans can get themselves in,” he said.

He said focus should not be on who was or who was not in the House when the Bill sailed through, but on the “nature and motive” of the Bill.

The Lands minister also criticised Government spokesman Alfred Mutua for “pretending” to speak for the Government.

“We are in Government and we know who that gentleman speaks for. The public and the media should disregard whatever statements he issues, even the advertisements that he has put in the newspapers,” Mr Orengo said.

The ODM leaders vowed to mobilise their fellow MPs to table amendments to the offensive Act.

________________________________________________

Who controls parliament? This is the height of hypocrisy, are these ODM luminaries not members of parliament and goverment?
Did we hear them opposing the bill?

Cut the crap!

I HAD NOT REALIZED HOW SENILE KIBAKI MIGHT BE UNTIL NOW.

CONSIDER THIS:

(a) Parliament passes faulty law (sneaked in last minute)

(b) Media alerts the public to the problems of that law

(c) Civil Society, Trade Unions and LAwyers alert the public and president not to sign

(d) ALL political parties alert the president and public not to sign

(e) Envoys and Foreign Organizations do the same

(f) Some of Kenya's international partners do the same

(g) Media writes a petition to President presented to PM and VP

(h) VP and PM publicly state they have advised prtesident not to sign

(i) Grand Coalition Govt goes on record as promosing to make changes before its signed

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KIBAKI (with advise from Kitchen Cabinet) goes ahead to SIGN faulty Bill.

7-DAYS OF PROTESTS AND TENSION ARISES

then today (Wed-Jan-7) Kibaki backs down and asks AG and Cabinet to review the Bill.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/511582/-/u17m8q/-/index.html

WHY DID HE NOT LISTEN BEFORE HE SIGNED!!!

IS HE SENILE? COZ THIS FOR SURE IS NOT STUBBORNESS!

so WAMAX, the "MAN" has said there are faulty issues to be addressed. you can change the position now.

quote:

Originally posted by MimiMzalendo:
I HAD NOT REALIZED HOW SENILE KIBAKI MIGHT BE UNTIL NOW.



then today (Wed-Jan-7) Kibaki backs down and asks AG and Cabinet to review the Bill.

WHY DID HE NOT LISTEN BEFORE HE SIGNED!!!

IS HE SENILE? COZ THIS FOR SURE IS NOT STUBBORNESS!

so WAMAX, the "MAN" has said there are faulty issues to be addressed. you can change the position now.

Mimi, I have read the whole bill, and I can authoritatively say that the media section is about 10% of the bill. It was never meant to be about the media, but about anything transmitted digitally (maybe the proper name would have been The Digital Bill). And if you are not aware, by 2015, all TV transmissions in Kenya will be digital.

It therefore goes without saying that the media are being selfish in labelling a bill 'media', and then going ahead to condemn it, when only 10% of its substance is about them.

About Kibaki and his change of stance, I think its easier to talk to people when they are not considering you as an adversary. Its a psychological trick. And anyway, it was not worth it. People think he is fighting for a bill he will never apply, anyway.

Its only fools who never change their mind, if you still think his change is genuine.