Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on Monday announced that she will put the pre-publication of the controversial Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is also referred to as the Protest Bill, on hold pending national consultations. 

Esther Passaris made the move after an appeal by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) to pull out the Bill ahead of Monday’s Saba Saba protests. 

“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. 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,” she wrote in a statement on social media.

Passaris stated that the pause will avail space for national debate and meaningful public participation.

“This is an invitation to co-create legislation that safeguards constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order,” she penned.

The Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025, which has been tabled, seeks to restrict public rallies around Parliament and other sites under protection. It also seeks to have designated spaces for protests with the intention of forestalling destruction of property during demonstrations.

The bill has attracted mixed views, with some politicians and legislators criticizing it for being rights-suppressing under the constitution. Others have commended it for its purpose of maintaining public order.

“A just society is not built by force or fear, but by accountability on all sides from citizens to state officers. It is my hope that this conversation will shift from confrontation to collaboration,” Passaris added.

While putting the Bill on ice, Passaris urged religious leaders to come out and lead peaceful demonstrations.

“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. Let us teach and encourage a culture of peaceful protest, lawful engagement, and respectful disagreement values rooted in faith and democracy alike,” she stated.