Kenya without clearly stating the grounds and procedures for a ban. Recent developments in the context of political reforms have hardly ameliorated the situation. The Books and Newspaper Act (chapter III) was revised in the run-up the 2002 general elections. The new Act introduced harsher conditions for the registration of newspapers, which include raising the security bond to be deposited from 10.000 to an amount of 1 million shillings with a bank guarantee, stipulating elaborate security and administrative processing and the bonding of vendors. SCORES: Individual scores: 2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,1,2,1 Average score: 1.8 1.2. The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. ANALYSIS: Political developments since 1992, when the first multi-party elections were held, have enhanced the space for expression despite the fact that these years had their “dangerous days”. Alternative media were launched, cartoons and political caricature flourished and people voiced their opinions through protests and demonstrations. The media have also been candid in their exposure of atrocities and corruption. But even under the new government, in office since 2003, freedom of expression is still limited by official action and legal provisions. Libel cases against media houses are on the rise, with figures going into the hundreds and causing editors to ask themselves whether it 4 African Media Barometer - Kenya 2005