Big Reprieve For Mohammed Ali And Boniface Mwangi! Court Nullifies Sections Of Controversial Security Law. But Not Before Issuing Dire Warning

Last evening, the government was dealt a heavy blow on the chins when the constitutional court revoked eight section of the ‘draconian’ security law.

A five-judge panel namely; Justices Isaac Lenaola, Mumbi Ngugi, Hedwig Ong’udi, Hillary Chemitei and Louis Onguto annulled eight sections of the contentious security law.

The sections quashed include those that were seeking to limit freedom of expression and media freedom. Those touching on the right of an accused to be released on bail and the provision limiting refugees coming in to the country to 150,000 were also abolished.

The eight sections of the security law that were nullified include; sections 12, 16, 20, 26, 34, 48 and 95.

 Justice Isaac Lenaola led his colleagues in issuing stern warning to the media. He reiterated reckless reporting and publication of pictures of dead victims of terror attacks like the one that occurred last December could incur legal penalties.

                         Justice Isaac Lenaola

It is a big reprieve for Mohammed Ali (and the media in general) and Boniface Mwangi (human rights groups) who were the leading voices that were utterly discontented with the disputable security law that approved by parliament in an acrimonious session that saw some law makers exchanging blows on the floor of the house.