Kenya’s Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) has finally broken its silence over the country’s controversial media bill.

The bill calls for fines of up to 1 million shillings ($11,700) for an individual or 20 million shillings for media outlets if they break a code of conduct to be drawn up by a government-appointed tribunal.

The bill also says that of all media content in the country, including advertising, 45% should be locally produced. This provision has media businesses worried about how this could hurt their revenues.

Lawmakers in Kenya have passed the bill but it has yet to be signed off by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The likes of media practitioners in Kenya have raised concerns about the bill, but, for the first time, the CIC has expressed its reservations.

CIC was established in 2010 to ensure smooth implementation of the country’s constitution.

The CIC says it has written to President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging him to refer the bill back to parliament for amendment of controversial clauses.

CIC chairperson, Charles Nyachae, said in its current state, and if enacted, the legal instrument could curtail media freedom.

“The bill contains provisions which are unconstitutional and if enacted in its current state will inadvertently erode the gains made in the constitution to ensure freedom of the media,” said Nyachae.

Nyachae; however, cautioned media owners’ decision to seek legal redress regarding the bill without giving President Uhuru Kenyatta an opportunity to explore the proposed law.

Kenyatta has said he plans to veto a controversial new media law if it is not constitutional.

Meanwhile, the CIC’s sentiments have come days after the speaker of the national assembly, Justin Muturi, said the issue was no longer under the house’s jurisdiction.

He was quoted as saying there was nothing the house could except wait for a presidential amendment or rejection of the bill.