HC Deb 06 June 1956 vol 553 c64W
69. Mr. Padley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions now apply to the right of free speech in Kenya.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Freedom of speech is generally unrestricted in Kenya, apart from legislation governing sedition and criminal libel. During the emergency, in the interests of public security, it has been necessary to take powers under Emergency Regulations to prohibit meetings of five or more persons except where a licence has been granted under the Police Ordinance, to prohibit the distribution of subversive publications, and to prevent communication with the terrorists. Such prohibitions have been almost entirely confined to Nairobi and the Central Province, and they are now being lifted gradually as and when security conditions permit.

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