Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has suspended her controversial protest bill ahead of the Saba Saba Day protests.
In a statement on Monday, July 7, 2025, Passaris revealed that her decision to delay the pre-publication of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025 was a result of self-reflection prompted by the National Council of Churches of Kenya’s (NCCK) on Sunday.
Despite that, the Woman Rep promised that she would be inviting more public input on the bill, which seeks to prohibit protests within a 100m radius of state establishments to allow national dialogues before bringing it back.
“As Kenya commemorates Saba Saba, a day rooted in our struggle for democracy and justice, I wish to respond to the call by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and other voices of conscience”, she stated.
“I have decided to pause the pre-publication process of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025 to allow for national dialogue and wide public engagement. This is an invitation to co-create legislation that safeguards constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order”, Passaris added.
She further urged NCCK to teach and encourage a culture of peaceful protests, lawful engagement and respectful disagreement, values rooted in faith and democracy alike.
