National security amendment bill passed by parliament

December 18, 2014. ANTHONY MWANGI

A determined government side on Thursday forced through the controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Bill past the third and final reading beating the strict timelines allocated for the business.

Only the amendments proposed by the Committee on Administration and National Security and those by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee were passed albeit in a shouting match pitting the two coalitions.

Speaker Justin Muturi had to conduct business sandwiched in ring comprising Jubilee Coalition MPs and parliamentary orderlies. Even though he used a microphone, his voice was at times submerged by the cacophony of shouts, screams and giggles from the CORD Mps who had tried every trick to disrupt the business since morning.

Muturi was called in to take the House through the Committee of the Whole House after it became apparent that Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso was not able to conduct the chaotic session.

With the passing of the Bill, President Uhuru Kenyatta will now be free to appoint the new Inspector General of Police and forwarded the name to the National Assembly for Approval.  The Bill had proposed that the president nominate a candidate for the position surpassing the input of the National Police Service Commission.

The Samuel Chepkonga led Justice and Legal committee, had proposed that the National Police Service Act amended to have the Inspector General serve for a term of four years but may be removed before expiry of his term subject to the provisions of the Constitution.