Tough penalties for terrorists in new law
By FRED MUKINDA
IN SUMMARY: Minister tables Bill that gives police powers to spy on suspects and order banks to freeze cash
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A Bill that seeks to send those convicted of terrorism to life in jail has been tabled in Parliament.
The Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2012 further wants properties of suspects seized.
It comes at a time when protests have rocked Mombasa over the killing of a preacher who had been accused of having links to Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Some of the protesters hurled grenades at police officers.
Four people were killed and several others injured in the protests. Five churches have also been vandalised and looted since the chaos broke out on Monday hours after the shooting to death of Al-Shabaab suspect Sheikh Aboud Rogo on the Mombasa – Malindi Highway.
The Bill, presented to the House on Tuesday by Internal Security minister Yusuf Haji, also seeks to give police powers to spy on suspects, including tapping their phones to collect evidence.
Tabling the Bill for debate had been delayed to allow lobbies, mainly human rights organisations, to propose amendments, but the government made no changes.
If Parliament passes the Bill into law as it is, victims of terror attacks would be compensated from a fund to be set up after selling property seized from terrorists as well as fines imposed on those convicted.
Those found guilty of causing death through terrorism will be jailed for life.
And those who shelter suspects, offer training premises, fund-raise and recruit youths into terror groups will be jailed for up to 30 years.
The Association of Muslim Organisations in Kenya had proposed that police should not have the powers to intercept telephone calls.
Bank transactions
Mobile phone companies will be required to intercept communication required for investigations.
Banks will be required to report to the Central Bank transactions involving accounts owned by suspects.
The Bill had earlier caused uproar when it was tabled in Parliament forcing the government to withdraw it for consultations.
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