Scuffles break out in Kenya's parliament

2014-12-18 5

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Kenyan opposition lawmakers disrupted a vote on Thursday (December 18), forcing the parliamentary speaker to postpone the session.

Members of the opposition were shouting and tearing up papers. The parliamentary speaker Justin Muturi suspended the session and said it would resume in the afternoon.

Journalists were barred from the parliament's press gallery and the live television transmission was discontinued.

Lawmakers were debating amendments to tough counter-terrorism measures that rights activists say threaten civil liberties and free speech.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has faced mounting pressure to boost security since an attack in September 2013 on Nairobi's Westgate mall that left 67 people dead.

He has urged lawmakers to pass the amendments to the bill.

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