The interviewee has been pitched as someone close to President Kibaki or to the Government. He begins by saying that the lengthy statement issued by Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua in today's dailies was a waste of public funds.

Of course, I agree completely. This because there is clearly only one side to this story and the Media has told it all exhaustively from all angles not least during tonight's 20 minute example of thorough, investigative, objective and "comprehensive" journalism (that last adjective provided by NTV's Janet Kanini), not to mention the many prime time minutes taken up over the last 14 business days (and holidays) to "discuss" the issue. 

So tonight, after the 20 minute expose, Janet goes, "In other news" ODM leaders shall have an emergency meeting to discuss the growing divide between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

This sounds like Odinga doesn't have access to the president.  NTV says that they've learned that Raila was not actually consulted by the President over the "Media" bill and "other issues" ...and now there is some concern that the marriage is (again!) not sitting on rose petals after all. A clip shows Lands Minister and Ugenya MP James Orengo at a rally or somewhere is provided, he's saying that the two should not be kept apart. Literally that no one (the charge is against Head of Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura) should sit between them.

This sounds like code for "someone" is working to cause a rift between Raila and Kibaki, which rift already crippled this country once, for months, exactly one year ago. 

Whether or not Kibaki and Raila are getting along at the moment is not critical, but the idea that they are not, especially when reinforced by the notion of a gagged media (and especially when you think about the sequential positioning of the particular stories) can only serve to isolate Kibaki and if properly developed, can be the pretext for some demonstration somewhere, at best and likely worse.

I don't know how any law can make the media think beyond it's own self-interest, truly. If Mainstream Media wants to be subversive (which is someone else's role), or manipulative, it would take a lot of effort from government to stop this effort, in fact more than is in the interest of government, at least at this moment in our history, and as we try to move towards some sort of progress and a reverse of last January's setbacks. 

The government and its approach to the passage of this law it is true is far from flawless. That goes without saying. What is far more interesting in this picture is that the Media at this point is thought to be flawless, or is behaving as if it has no blood on its hands, which is far more dangerous, as it may draw the country into a tumult at any point. Kenya does not seem to be watching to expect this.

9.36pm; Janet's just been reading the International news on the Gaza situation, she goes: "News just in: Hislop  Ipu, State House Comptroller has been sent on an "indefinite leave..." "a close friend to Kibaki" has taken over his duties etc... I'm feeling like this is only important information if you are trying to either construct or expose a conspiracy.

Editors' Note. This article was written yesterday, Sunday 4th January. Apologies for the delay in its publication. Neema has previously written this article on an earlier discussion of this law on Kenyan Television.