Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has paused the pre-publication process of the controversial Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following mounting pressure from civil society and religious leaders.
The proposed bill sought to prohibit protests within 100 meters of strategic government institutions, including Parliament, State House, and the Judiciary.
In a statement issued Monday, as the country marked the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba the historic push for multiparty democracy Passaris said her decision was guided by calls from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and other civil rights groups urging inclusive consultations on laws impacting constitutional freedoms.
“This is an invitation to co-create legislation that safeguards constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order,” she said, emphasizing the need for national dialogue over confrontation.
The bill, currently under review by the National Assembly’s Committee on National Administration and Internal Security, had drawn support from several MPs, including committee chair Gabriel Tongoyo, who called it a timely safeguard against protest-related violence.
However, opponents like MPs Rosa Buyu and Aduma Awour warned that the bill risked muzzling dissent and provoking greater unrest.
Passaris had initially defended the bill in light of the deadly June 25 protests, which left at least 19 dead and government buildings vandalized. But in a shift of tone, she acknowledged public concern and called for moral leadership from both state and religious institutions.
“As we honour the spirit of Saba Saba, let us move forward not in anger, but in shared accountability,” she said.
The suspension comes amid rising debate about how to balance security with the right to peaceful assembly—a conversation reignited by the current wave of youth-led demonstrations across Kenya.
