Thursday June 6, 2013 - Journalists covering the proceedings of the 11th Parliament were on Wednesday kicked out of their hall by Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi, citing congestion in Parliament buildings.
Speaking after they were thrown out of the Press Chamber, Bundi said the move is aimed at decongesting the building to pave space for MPs who have no offices to operate in.
“They cannot be seating here when we have no space for MPs. The coverage of the House proceedings will be by invitation only. We are not creating residence for journalists in Parliament,” Bundi said.
But according to sources, Bundi was implementing an act passed by parliamentarians on Tuesday of punishing members of the press by kicking them out of the hall for portraying them badly over their clamour forhigher pay.
In a statement to the press, Kenya Editors Guild Association said they did not believe in explanation by Bundi that the space is required for use by parliamentary committees.
“It is instructive that the action comes shortly after the House Majority Leader Aden Duale threatened reprisals against the media in reaction to unfavourable coverage over MPs demand for increased pay. The action also came with an assertion by Bundi that the media will henceforth cover Parliament only by invitation,” said the statement.
The association threatened to go to court and challenge the ban since it is against Article 118 of the Constitution.
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