Kenyan journalists took to the streets today in a silent demonstration to condemn the controversial Media Bill.

The march organised by a seven-member committee formed by the Editors Guild last week, dubbed "No Comment", started at the Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park, this morning from where journalists proceeded to the Attorney-General's Chambers on Harambee Avenue via Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue. They later went round parliament buildings before reading out their petition to their sympathisers.

Joseph Mbuthia, an editor with the Nation Media Group and chairman of the Inter-Media Committee, took charge of the demonstration to lead members of the Fourth Estate from all media houses ‘protesters’.

They were all wearing black bands while others covered their mouth with a mask or a black tape. The cowards (every profession has cowards), only joined the group after the demonstrations had kicked off, peacefully.

"We had a peaceful demonstration and the black band, tape or mask was a sign that we shall not name our sources. We were quiet throughout the march," explained a source who sought anonymity.

The organising committee for the peaceful demonstration had obtained a permit from the Central Police Station OCPD.

In the recent past, there has been a public outrage over the controversial Bill, which was passed by only 29 MPs and awaits the President’s approval, less than the parliamentary quorum of 30 MPs.

The owners of the powerful pens that build and destroy politicians were pointing fingers at the offending clause raised by Ol Kalou Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Karue Muriuki, in the last minutes of the debate.

The MP has remained unrepentant even amid the outcry: "I am constrained to say this. I have a personal experience of this. And there are many instances where the character of a person will be assassinated through a negative untrue story," said the MP in a recent media interview.

The journalists were joined by representatives of Civil society groups, lawyers and some civilians who have shown solidarity with the media, saying the Bill amounted to muzzling the Press. Among them was the outspoken Cyprian Nyamwamu of NCEC.

According to the supporters of media freedom, this Bill is an attack on the media and other unspecified individuals.

Although the match to silence the clause and petition the AG to advice the President not to sign the Media Bill was meant to march round Parliament Building two times - this is where the Bill was passed- before breaking the demo at Freedom Corner, the match ended at Parliament buildings. The licensed time, two hours, had come to an end.

The petition was presented to the Government's chief legal adviser, the Attorney General, Amos Wako and the Head of Public Service, Amb. Francis Muthaura, through their representatives at Sheria house and parliament buildings respectively.