Members of the Media Council of Kenya have been sworn in.

Officiating the swearing in High Court Judge Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch hailed the recently enacted Media Act as a great step in democracy. 

Justice Alouch said Kenya is one of the few countries in Africa that have enacted a Media Law.

After a lot of uproar over the content of the Media Bill and protests against a clause deemed oppressive, the Bill was eventually passed in October and now a media council is in place.

The 13 council members were sworn in as provided for by the act.

After the swearing in ceremony witnessed by the newly appointed High Court Registrar Christine Meoli, Justice Aluoch called on the council to operate within the provisions of the Act.

Her sentiments were echoed by the chairman of the Media Council Wachira Waruru.

But his other role as CEO of Royal Media raises queries of his impartiality in handling disputes between media houses.

Speaking after he was elected chairman earlier this month Waruru who is the nominee of the Media Owners Association assured journalists that the body will articulate all matters affecting and pertaining to media according to the code of ethics.

He said the council will operate without any political interference according to section 5 of the Media Act 2007 and be wholly independent and separate from the government, political party or any nominating authority.

Others sworn in were the director of information Ezekiel Mutua, the director of the School of Journalism at the University of Nairobi Wambui Kiai and LSK chairman Okong'o Omogeni.

Other members of the council include Susan Kasera and David Ochami of the Kenya Union of Journalists, Neema Wamai and Hannington Gaya of Media Owners Association, Joseph Odindo of the Editors Guild, Dr. Levy Obonyo of Public & Private Universities, William Oloo and Peter Mutie of Kenya Correspondents Association, veteran journalist Joe Kadhi of United States International University and Hiram Mucheke of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.

The council is also charged with accrediting journalists and recommending to the government on the training needs of journalists.