When it comes to investigative pieces, only two people really do it right, that would be Mohammed Ali and John Allan-Namu (a very telling statement about traditional media really). So it really is they who would be affected by some clauses in the proposed Security Bill. And perhaps that just goes to show for the awesome job they are doing seeing as they have managed to ruffle the right feathers.

Amendment 30F(1) states, “Any person who, without authorisation from the National Police Service, broadcasts any information which undermines investigations or security operations relating to terrorism commits an offence and is liable of conviction to a term of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding five million shillings, or both.”

That if nothing else is a brand new attempt at stifling the media and more so Mohammed Ali and John Allan-Namu who have gone all out when it comes to telling the untold story which understandably most in power would rather not have leak. A situation rather reminiscent to the curious case of Assange and Wikileaks or when the mind is stretched, Snowden.

The proposed amendments do however go on to state that one may publish or broadcast factual information of a general nature to the public, anyone who publishes photographs of victims of terrorism without the consent of the National Police Service commits an offence and is liable to a conviction of a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine of five million shillings or both.

An individual who publishes or distributes obscene or gory material likely to cause fear or alarm to the public will attract a fine of not more than Sh1 million or an imprisonment of three years and where the offence is committed by a media house, the institution will have to part with Sh5 million fine.

And what about Kenyans on social media outlets such as Twitter?

Kenyans on social media should also be on the lookout, especially those who post updates that praise, advocate or incite acts of terrorism that they risk getting imprisoned for over twenty years same as a person found in possession of an improvised explosive device or a grenade.

What do you think about the proposed amendments? Are they good for the nation or not?

[polldaddy poll=8512783]