- Esther Passaris suspends push for Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after strong criticism.
- The proposed law would have banned protests within 100 meters of key state institutions.
- Civil society and church leaders urged public engagement before any law restricting freedoms is passed.
- The bill had support from some MPs but was also flagged as dangerous to free expression.
- Passaris now calls for national dialogue, especially during the symbolic Saba Saba period.
Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris has bowed to public pressure and hit pause on the pre-publication of the controversial Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a move that comes just as Kenyans mark 35 years since the historic Saba Saba demonstrations.
The bill aimed to limit demonstrations near key institutions like the State House, Parliament, and courts. But critics quickly sounded alarm bells, warning that it could choke constitutional rights and silence voices of protest.
Passaris, in a statement issued Monday, said she was stepping back after calls from groups like the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and civil rights organizations. They warned that such a law needed proper consultation and risked going against the spirit of the Constitution.
“This is a chance to come together and rethink how we maintain order without tampering with our rights,” she said, urging for collaboration instead of conflict.
The bill had already stirred debate in Parliament. Committee chair Gabriel Tongoyo backed it, saying it would protect public institutions from the chaos witnessed during protests. But others, like legislators Rosa Buyu and Aduma Awour, warned that it would only create more tension and erode gains made in democratic space.
Passaris, who had earlier defended the bill by citing the violent protests of June 25 that saw at least 19 people killed and government offices looted, now appears to be walking a more cautious path.
In her latest remarks, Passaris called for unity and responsible leadership. She emphasised that this moment should not be used to escalate divisions but to reflect and plan for peaceful change.
“As we commemorate the meaning behind Saba Saba, let us act with responsibility, not rage,” she said, appealing to both government and religious leaders to help calm tensions.
The ongoing debate shines a spotlight on a bigger dilemma: how to allow public demonstrations while still keeping the peace. The bill’s suspension may be temporary, but it has revived tough conversations about freedoms, especially in light of the current wave of youth-led protests across Kenya.
What comes next is uncertai,n but for now, Passaris has opened the door for national conversation rather than legislation.
