Chaos in Kenyan parliament over new security bill

Kenya's parliament has been forced to adjourn after disruptive opposition members of parliament attacked government plans to push through a new security bill.

Dramatic scenes unfolded Thursday as MPs shouted, danced and shredded copies of the bill, forcing National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi to call for a 30-minute adjournment. There were also reports of fist-fights between lawmakers.

The Kenyan government has called for new powers to counter militant Islamists that threaten the country's security. The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has stepped up attacks recently, and killed 36 Kenyans in a quarry earlier this month.

The bill, which is backed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, allows security agencies to detain terror suspects for up to a year and to tap communications without the consent of a court. It also requires journalists to obtain police permission before publishing stories on domestic terrorism and security issues.

Opposition MPs warned that Kenya was becoming a "police state."

As the proceedings descended into mayhem, the Speaker was unable to keep control.

Politicians were seen with ripped clothes following the events.

There was a heavy police presence around the parliament ahead of the session, following calls for #OccupyParliament protests against the new bill.

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