National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has addressed the outcry over his rule against wearing the President William Ruto famous Kaunda suits while in Parliament.
The National assembly Speaker made these remarks during the sixth Kenya Editor’s Guild Convention in Mombasa County following a backlash after banning African attire among other revealing clothes for Legislators within parliament buildings.
According Wetang’ula, the strict rules were good for maintenance of the traditions of the House and its credibility.
“I have heard some people lamenting that I have banned the use of Kaunda suits in Parliament, yet President Ruto has a liking for the attire,” said Wetangula.
As such, the National Assembly speaker noted that while the President loves Kaunda Suits, he has been abiding by the house rules on matters outfits.
“l want to remind those lamenting that yes President Ruto loves kaunda suits but when he comes to Parliament on official duty he is always dressed in a suit because he understands what the law requires on dress code,” said Wetangula.
Wetang’ula’s Plea to Journalist on Law Making Participation
Speaking during the sixth Kenya Editors Guild Convention, Wetangula challenged the Media to play an active role in the law-making process in the country.
Also Read: Wetangula Bans Kaunda Suits Revealing Clothes in New Ruling
Further, Wetang’ula said the 2010 constitution has moved the preserve of making laws from Parliament to any citizen including the Media and told the editors not to take a back seat on the process.
“The law now allows you as editors to sit together, draft a proposed legislation and present it to the Speaker who will table it in the House, debated on and if it meets the threshold, it will be passed into law,” he explained.
Likewise, Wetangula noted the role of journalists in the law-making process, while referring to them as the most informed in the society.
“Journalists are regarded as one of the informed members of the society and they should not take a back seat in the law-making process, especially those touching on their welfare, leaving the exercise to MPs and other Kenyans” said Wetangula.
Journalists Asked to Embrace AI
Noting that the emergence of AI was a threat to the growth, stability and free media, the National Assembly speaker asked journalists to take up the responsibility of drafting recommendations on how to regulate and operationalize the new technology.
He noted that AI was taking inroads in the industry adding that there was need to regulate the use of the new technology to ensure that it adheres to the media rules.
“On Thursday I tabled before the House a proposed regulation drafted by a Kenyan recommending how to regulate the AI and other emerging new technologies and I challenged Parliamentarians that this was their core responsibility,” he added.
Nonetheless, the Speaker observed with concern that consumption of fake news was a threat to the integrity of the Media in the country and beyond.
As he called for self-regulations by the media, Wetangual also challenged editors, who operate as gate keepers, to ensure that only factual news is collected and disseminated to the masses.
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He urged media owners who have taken political stands to give freedom to journalists in their media houses to tell stories professionally and with impartiality.
Ruto Asked to Help Save Standard Media Group
Furthermore, the Speaker expressed his concerns over financial challenges faced by The Standard Media Group, one of the oldest media houses in the country.
He noted that there is a need to save the Media House from the financial woes adding that its dwindling fortunes were not good for media freedom.
On the other hand, Wetangula roped in President Ruto to help save the collapsing media house.
“I am aware that The Standard is on its knees. The collapse of such an established Media House in the country will have serious implications on the industry as people will lose jobs. I will seek President Ruto’s hand in the matter,” he added.
While acknowledging the critical role played by the media in the country as agents of change, he assured his support for any proposed legislations that will be tabled before the House to protect their interests.
“Bank on me to support any law that will be tabled in Parliament to address Media needs,” he assured the journalists.
