Parliament on 9th May closed the door on freedom of the Press when it passed the contentious Media Bill. The draconian law, which awaits the presidential assent, will punish vendors , media houses and journalists. Vendors who peddle newspapers, which are not bonded, will now pay Sh20,000 as fine or face a six months jail-term or both. Media houses will now be required to pay Sh1 million to publish newspapers. The bond was raised from Sh20,000 to Sh1 million.