Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has stirred national debate by backing a new bill that seeks to regulate the location and conduct of public protests, particularly around key national installations like Parliament and State House.
The Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Passaris sponsored, was presented before the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security Committee. The bill proposes that public gatherings and demonstrations be banned within a 100-meter radius of protected areas, including Parliament, the Supreme Court, and State House.
Under the proposed law, any person found violating this restriction would face a fine of KSh 100,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
“Public calls to invade Parliament and State House have circulated online,” Passaris said while defending the bill. “Rights have been turned into ruins. We must balance the right to assemble with the need to protect our democratic institutions.”
The bill would also empower the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, in consultation with county governments, to designate specific zones for public assemblies and demonstrations. These areas would serve as lawful grounds for protests, with the intention of maintaining public order and safeguarding national security.
Passaris emphasized that her proposal is anchored in Article 24 of the Constitution, which allows for reasonable limitations on rights and freedoms when necessary. She noted that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, recent demonstrations have been marred by violence, vandalism, and threats to national institutions.
The move follows recent Gen Z-led protests against government policies, including the controversial Finance Bill, which culminated in mass demonstrations near Parliament and several public buildings. The protests, though largely peaceful, were met with heavy police response, sparking public outcry and calls for accountability.
The bill has received mixed reactions in Parliament. Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma expressed strong support, calling it timely and necessary to prevent future chaos. On the other hand, Kisumu Woman Rep Rosa Buyu questioned whether such restrictions would water down the impact of protests by confining them to isolated “zones.”
Nyakach MP Aduma Awour echoed concerns that regulating protests through restrictions could suppress public dissent, urging legislators to focus on addressing citizens’ frustrations rather than legislating them out of sight.
While Passaris distanced her bill from previous proposals perceived as oppressive, she maintained that this new amendment is not meant to criminalize protest but to bring order and clarity to how and where they occur.
“This is not about silencing Kenyans. It’s about ensuring safety—for both the public and those working in sensitive government facilities.”