Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2008
| Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2008 | |
|---|---|
| Kenyan Parliament | |
| Passed by | 10th Parliament of Kenya |
| Passed | January 2, 2009 |
| Enacted | January 2, 2009 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2008 is a Kenyan Act of Parliament that was passed by the 10th Parliament of Kenya and signed into law by President Mwai Kibaki on 2 January 2009.[1] It is a controversial amendment of the Kenya Communications Act of 1998, which authorizes the state to raid media houses and control the distribution of content.[2] It also gives the government the right to:
- penalise media infractions with heavy fines and prison terms
- sole discretion in granting broadcast licences
- control of programme content and broadcasts.[1]
The bill was opposed by the ODM of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and the Kenyan Union of Journalists.[2]
Due to protests by Kenyan journalists, Kibaki ordered the attorney general and information minister to review the Act and suggest any possible amendments;[2] possible amendments could address such contentious areas as Section 88 - 92.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Kenya Communication (Amendment) Act, 2008" (PDF). kenyalaw.org. Kenya Law. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ a b c "Kenya media welcomes law review". BBC News. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- ^ Laanoi, Shadrack (2008-12-14). "It's Already Part of the Constitution!". Fortysouth.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.