By Grace Gilo
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has announced that she will pause the pre-publication process of the controversial Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025.
In a statement issued on her X (formerly Twitter) account, she explained that this decision is meant to allow for national dialogue and broader public engagement.
Passaris noted that this was in response to the call done by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and other voices of conscience.
“A Time for Reflection and Responsibility 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.
She emphasized that this move is an invitation to collaboratively create legislation that protects constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order.
“I thank NCCK for its bold stance in defending civil liberties, but I also challenge our religious institutions to raise the moral bar of public discourse,” she said.
The Nairobi Woman Representative urged the society to promote a culture of peaceful protest, lawful engagement and respectful disagreement; values shared by both faith and democracy.
“A just society is not built by force or fear but by accountability on all sides from citizens to state officers,” she reiterated.
“It is my hope that this conversation will shift from confrontation to collaboration,” she added.
Passaris called on the public to move forward not in anger, but with a spirit of shared accountability that honours the spirit of Saba Saba.