Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has announced a temporary suspension of the pre-publication process of the contentious Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, signaling a willingness to open the conversation around protest regulation to broader public input.
In a statement shared on social media on Monday, Passaris said the decision was made to allow room for national dialogue and inclusive engagement, following growing public concern and calls from religious leaders to reconsider the bill.
“This is an invitation to co-create legislation that safeguards constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order,” she wrote. “A just society is not built by force or fear, but through accountability from both citizens and state officers. I hope this conversation shifts from confrontation to collaboration.”
Her remarks came just days after the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) urged her to shelve the proposed bill ahead of the planned Saba Saba demonstrations, citing its potential to stifle freedoms of expression and assembly.
The proposed amendment aims to restrict public gatherings around Parliament and other protected zones while establishing clearly demarcated protest areas a move Passaris said is intended to balance public order with freedom of expression. However, the proposal sparked sharp criticism from some lawmakers and civil society figures, who viewed it as an infringement on constitutional rights.
Passaris defended the bill’s intent but acknowledged the importance of including diverse voices in shaping such legislation. She called on the church to take an active role in promoting responsible civic engagement.
“Let us teach and encourage a culture of peaceful protest, lawful engagement, and respectful disagreement values rooted in both faith and democracy,” she added.
The announcement comes as Kenyans mark Saba Saba Day, commemorating the July 7, 1990, protests that paved the way for multi-party democracy in Kenya. Against that historical backdrop, Passaris’ decision to pause and reflect may set the stage for a more measured, participatory approach to legislation on public assembly.
