Passaris proposes Bill seeking to bar protests near Parliament and protected areas

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has proposed a new Bill seeking to bar public protests near  Parliament, courts and other protected areas in a bid to prevent Kenyans from demonstrating in the named areas.

The Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is almost similar to the one drafted by former Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku, now Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, proposes a 100-metre no-protest zone around critical national institutions.

“A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings (Sh100,000) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both,” the Bill reads in part.

If passed, the new law will give the police and the government more control over where and how protests take place.

Protest organisers will be required to avoid all areas within a 100-metre radius of Parliament buildings and any area listed under the Protected Areas Act, including courtrooms.

“Public calls to invade Parliament and State House circulated online. These are not peaceful protests. Rights have been turned into ruins,”Passaris told the National Assembly Administration and Internal Security Committee. 

Cabinet Secretaries will also have the authority to define and declare official protest zones, a move that would allow the government to steer public gatherings away from sensitive sites and central government buildings.

“The whole idea of the Bill is to protect the pillars of our democracy. You have to have a certain area where you can’t reach as a demonstrator and you have to respect that,” she said.

In the already existing Public Order Act already protest organisers are required to notify police of meetings or processions at least three days in advance, detailing names, locations, times, and dates.

The amendment builds on these provisions by introducing clear geographical limits to where such events can be held.

The Bill comes at a time when the government is showing renewed interest in regulating public protests following the chaos and destruction witnessed last Wednesday when goons infiltrated initially peaceful Gen Z demonstrations in Nairobi and other cities and towns in 27 counties.

Last year, Ruku had proposed the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024.

The Bill sought to criminalise spontaneous demonstrations and place stricter obligations on protest organisers, including detailed advance notice and full legal responsibility for any damages.

While Ruku’s Bill serves as background, Passaris’ proposal focuses squarely on limiting physical access to government institutions during public actions.

Both Bills have drawn public interest in light of recent youth-led protests that took place outside Parliament and major institutions. If passed, the new law would make such gatherings illegal.