“I Wrote It, Not Ruto!”- Passaris Responds After Protest Bill Is Branded ‘Ruto’s Bidding’
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has pushed back against claims that she is acting on behalf of President William Ruto by sponsoring a new bill that seeks to regulate public demonstrations.
Passaris stood firm in her support for the Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes limiting protests near key government offices. She explained her reasons while addressing a rowdy crowd during a National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) event.
According to Passaris, she drafted the bill back in October 2024 after chaos broke out during the anti-Finance Bill protests. Protesters stormed Parliament and set part of the building on fire, which she says prompted her to take action.
“I began working on the bill on October 18, 2024. That was after the Gen Z protesters invaded Parliament. Property was destroyed, lives were at risk—people died,” she told the crowd.
She also made it clear that President Ruto only learned about the bill through the internet—just like everyone else.
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“When I introduced the bill, it was a private member’s proposal. William Ruto had no idea. He read about it online,” she said.
Passaris also criticized the violent nature of recent youth-led protests, contrasting them with ODM’s peaceful demonstrations in the past.
“When we had issues with the IEBC, we didn’t break in or cause chaos. We met at Uhuru Park, shared our concerns, and submitted a formal letter,” she added.
The proposed law, which mirrors parts of the Assembly and Demonstrations Bill of 2024, seeks to regulate how Kenyans exercise their right to protest under Article 37 of the Constitution. It includes plans to redefine public gatherings and introduce special zones for picketing.
However, the bill has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it threatens freedom of assembly and expression.
“I Wrote It, Not Ruto!”- Passaris Responds After Protest Bill Is Branded ‘Ruto’s Bidding’
