The media has protested, the whole country has mourned but the situation remains the same.

It’s now three days after President Mwai Kibaki signed the controversial Kenya Communication (Amendment) Act that has sent shock waves to the whole country leaving the media industry in a big dilemma. Even after intense pressure from all corners the present dug in his heels and assented to the controversial bill that is poised to cripple the media industry.

Kibaki has let the country down once again by going against its expectations and we only hope he will soon realize the harm he has caused with just the stroke of a pen. The law advocates for the closure of radio and TV stations that are seen to be critical of the government.

According to experts, the president has reversed all the democratic gains fought for over two decades. In the recent amendments, Parliament failed to repeal the clause that gives the Internal Security minister sweeping powers to confiscate broadcast equipment during what the Government calls an “emergency or when public tranquility is threatened” Kibaki is now on the receiving end since he assented to the bill but where are the so called lawmakers?

Those involved in the whole process of amending the Act which has left a bitter taste in our mouths, did they know what they were doing or they just passed words that were meaningless to them or should we think they were accomplishing a duty assigned to them devoid of what the consequences would be? Rather is the media over reacting and seeking sympathy from the public by blowing the issue out of proportion?

Kibaki should have been the savior but instead, he hammered the last nail to the media’s coffin. Kibaki should call his house in order and solve the situation before it is too late, Kenya cannot risk going back to the dark era of suppressed freedom.