Esther Passaris slammed after proposing law banning protests near Parliament

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris [File/Standard] Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris is facing criticism from Kenyans following her proposal to ban public gatherings near Parliament buildings. Passaris has proposed the changes through the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025. "This bill does not criminalise protest, it protects lives and infrastructure. It introduces designated protest zones in consultation with counties, buffer areas around key institutions like Parliament, and penalties for violations. The aim is not to silence, but to safeguard," Passaris said when she appeared before the security committee in Parliament. Kenyans online did not hold back in their reactions to the proposal. @popejayp said, "No law can protect you from a dissatisfied populace especially young people who are unemployed and under-employed. Focus on the root-cause not the symptoms." @Nivlake added, "Do this people think they will be in that Parliament for life or what's with this kind of thinking?" @tm_sltr also said, "These punitive bills will catch up with those who are passing them because soon they will be out of the government, kitawaramba tu"The Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025 proposes changes to the Public Order Act (Cap. 56) to address public meetings and processions by providing the demarcation of assembly and demonstration zones. Under Passaris' bill, any public meeting or public procession would be prohibited within a 100-metre radius of Parliament, protected areas under the Protected Areas Act and courtrooms. "A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both," reads the proposal in part. The bill also empowers the Cabinet Secretary to designate assembly and demonstration zones in consultation with county governments and prescribes areas within which public meetings and processions are prohibited. In Parliament, the bill appears to be gaining support already. Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma expressed his backing for the proposal. "It is very objective, it is very timely...this thing should be redrafted to specify its intentions specifically to limit the rights in a very conclusive way," he said. It remains to be seen what amendments will be made to the bill and how debates in the House will unfold.

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Esther Passaris slammed after proposing law banning protests near Parliament

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