Kenyan MPs, led by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, have backed a bill that would ban protests within 100 metres of the Parliament precinct and other protected zones. The bill, tabled on Tuesday, aims to ensure public safety and preserve democratic institutions amid growing civic unrest.
Passaris told the Administration and Internal Security Committee that the bill would require all public processions to occur outside a 100-metre buffer zone from Parliament buildings, courtrooms, and areas protected under the Protected Areas Act. She argued the move would prevent repeat disturbances and physical threats seen during protests last year and during the recent June 25 Gen Z demonstrations. “The whole idea of the Bill is to protect the pillars of our democracy. You have to respect that,” she said.
Committee Chair Gabriel Tong’oyo warned that Kenya now stands “at a crossroads” between freedom of expression and the need for orderly public demonstrations. He acknowledged citizens’ rights to protest but emphasized that protests must be lawful and peaceful.
The proposal drew broad support from other MPs during the session. Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan said, “Nobody is safe. Anytime people can come to Parliament, go to State House, go to police stations,” stressing security concerns in high-risk areas. Similarly, Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma praised the bill’s intent but cautioned that it may require fine-tuning to clearly define which types of assemblies would fall under petition or demonstration categories.
The move echoes a wider trend across African legislatures responding to unrest following the Finance Bill protests in 2024 and Gen Z anniversary rallies earlier this month. Most recently, the June 25 protests, marked by clashes with police and blockades in Nairobi, prompted several MPs to call for stricter laws on stage-managed demonstrations.
Human rights advocates, however, warn that the bill risks pushing dissent into remote locations, weakening protesters’ ability to hold government accountable. Katiba Institute spokesperson Lucy Mumbi stated that restricting protests to distant areas could violate constitutional freedoms and undermine civic engagement .
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has previously maintained that protests should occur in a “predictable and nonviolent manner”, but critics of his comments say the bill may over-regulate assembly rights and risk silencing dissent.
As the bill advances through parliamentary departments, lawmakers have 14 days from the gazette to suggest amendments.
Civic voices continue to advocate for a balanced approach, one that respects free assembly while safeguarding national institutions.
