{UAH} Ocen, WBK//House needs to review the Bill on insecurity

Folks;

Neither Ocen nor I wrote this editorial for the Daily Nation newspapers, and I doubt that the editors there are morons,as WBK calls anyone questioning this proposed Bill.

Pojim

House needs to review the Bill on insecurity

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As we observe the 51st anniversary since attainment of Independence from British colonial rule, we have yet another occasion to reflect on the past from which can be drawn lessons for the future.

We mark this birthday rightfully appreciating tremendous gains in the building of a nation over the past half century. We have indeed come a long way since that euphoric day on December 12, 1963.

We marked another milestone in December 1991 when the dictatorial single-party monolith was swept away into the dustbin of history to open the way for a democratic multiparty system.

Then finally, in August 2010, came the actualisation of the Second Liberation with that epochal moment at Uhuru Park when Kenyans celebrated the birth of the new constitution. As we mark another Independence day, we have to ask whether we are moving forwards or holding ourselves back.

We face our 51st birthday filled with fear and apprehension wrought by the rise in terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

There is justifiable concern over the unequal development and the glaring wealth gap, limited access to social development basics such as education and healthcare, and growth of ethnic conflicts.  

However, Kenyans are a resilient people. We still have reason to be imbued with hope and optimism that the coming years will see the realisation of prosperous, united and cohesive nation where all enjoy equal opportunities to the fruits of economic and social development.

HONEST APPRAISAL

We cannot plot our future, however, without an honest appraisal of where we have come from. Drawing lessons from the past will point out the pitfalls and potholes into which we must not stumble again. It does not mean that we must seek to replicate a discredited past.

We marked the eve of Jamhuri Day by fast-tracking in Parliament a draconian set of laws designed to erode all the gains of the Second Liberation and take us back to the dark days of dictatorship, police brutality and unchecked Executive powers.

Amendments to a series of security-sector laws were packaged as the antidote to terrorism, but in reality were used to smuggle in provisions that will allow the State to once again trample on civil liberties and human rights.

All in Kenya want the threat of terrorism faced with all instruments available. All will support laws, regulations and administrative measures that will empower the security forces to more effectively confront the evil.

However, it should be obvious that many of the challenges we face in fighting terrorism are not because laws are not there, but because of inability or refusal to apply existing laws and mechanisms.

We urge Parliament to take a fresh look at the laws debated on Thursday and expunge provisions that are not necessary for the war against terror and might have been introduced for ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, we take comfort in the fact that the Bill of Rights guaranteed by the Constitution cannot be abridged by a mere Act of Parliament.

If Parliament fails to do the right thing, any provisions passed that offend the Constitution will remain null and void.