NAIROBI (AFP) -– The United States on Saturday voiced concern over a media bill which was recently adopted by Kenya's parliament and curbs freedom of the press.

""The United States is very concerned about recent actions which potentially threaten freedom of the media in Kenya,"" the U.S. embassy said in a statement.
Police arrested 55 civil society activists and journalists on Friday during a protest against the bill, which provides for heavy fines and prison sentences for press offences.
The U.S. statement described the bill as giving ""excessive power to the government over the media.""
""The passage of the Media Bill runs counter to the coalition government's commitment to carry out fundamental reforms in order to strengthen democratic institutions and to promote the well-being of all Kenyans,"" the statement said.
The U.S. statement also suggested that Friday's arrests were excessive, arguing that protestors' concerns were justified.
""It is ... understandable that Kenyans across political, social, and ethnic lines are demonstrating their democratic spirit by speaking out to voice concerns about the Media Bill,"" it said.
In a letter to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, the Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders also condemned the bill.