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Kenya security law: President Uhuru Kenyatta signs bill Kenya security law: President Uhuru Kenyatta signs bill
(35 minutes later)
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial security bill which saw MPs trade blows in parliament.Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial security bill which saw MPs trade blows in parliament.
It was passed on Thursday during a chaotic parliamentary session, with opposition MPs warning that Kenya was becoming a "police state".It was passed on Thursday during a chaotic parliamentary session, with opposition MPs warning that Kenya was becoming a "police state".
The government has said it needs more powers to fight militant Islamists threatening Kenya's security.The government has said it needs more powers to fight militant Islamists threatening Kenya's security.
Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has stepped up attacks in Kenya.Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has stepped up attacks in Kenya.
The new anti-terror legislation requires journalists to obtain police permission before investigating or publishing stories on domestic terrorism and security issues.The new anti-terror legislation requires journalists to obtain police permission before investigating or publishing stories on domestic terrorism and security issues.
The police will now approve publication or broadcasting of information relating to investigations on terrorism. It also stipulates that police must approve publication or broadcasting of information relating to investigations on terrorism.
"We must all remember that we are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks," Mr Kenyatta said in a televised address, defending the law."We must all remember that we are still at war and still vulnerable to terror attacks," Mr Kenyatta said in a televised address, defending the law.
He denied that it infringed on civil liberties.He denied that it infringed on civil liberties.
Shocked
The BBC's Dennis Okari in the capital, Nairobi, says the security bill has gone through various amendments.The BBC's Dennis Okari in the capital, Nairobi, says the security bill has gone through various amendments.
The provision giving the security and intelligence agencies power to intercept phone conversations without a court order was dropped, he says.The provision giving the security and intelligence agencies power to intercept phone conversations without a court order was dropped, he says.
Suspects in police custody will only be held for 24 hours and not 360 days as suggested in the original bill, unless a court order is issued.Suspects in police custody will only be held for 24 hours and not 360 days as suggested in the original bill, unless a court order is issued.
The opposition, civil society groups and the media have all said they will go to court to challenge the legislation.
Thursday's special parliamentary sitting, which turned into mayhem live on television, shocked many Kenyans, our correspondent says.
Opposition MPs tore up papers and chanted anti-government slogans - there was a fist-fight and the deputy speaker had water poured over her.
Mr Kenyatta condemned their behaviour as "deplorable" and said the law was only meant to "protect the lives and property of all Kenyans and disrupt any threats to our national security".
"May peace dwell within our borders during this festive season," he said at the end of his address.
Since last month, al-Shabab has killed 64 people in two attacks in the north-eastern region of Mandera, which borders Somalia. Last year it was also responsible for the Westgate shopping centre siege in Nairobi in which 67 people died.
Kenya sent troops into Somalia three years ago, and they now make up part of the African Union force helping to fight the militant group.