Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi has added his voice to the mounting calls to establish designated zones for protests.
Taking to his X page on Friday, June 4, 2025, the outspoken acknowledged how the conduct of demonstrators had significantly morphed over the years, thus warranting the need to limit them in order to maintain public order.
“Anyone wanting to demonstrate should be given a designated area. In the past, people respected security agencies, so we shouldn’t invade their premises expecting leniency. Demonstrations must have limits,” the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician said.
Lose a country
“This country is bigger than all of us. You can’t go to the police station to provoke the police. We cannot lose a country just because of Ruto Must Go demos,” he stated.
His sentiments come as the nation continues to debate Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris’ plans to propose an amendment to the Public Order Act.
The bill, which seeks to restrict protests near key government institutions, has stirred intense public debate.
In a statement shared on her official X account on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Roots Party’s former presidential running mate, Justina Wamae, opined that the bill would undermine constitutional rights enshrined under Article 37.
This Article gives every Kenyan the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities, as long as the demonstrations are peaceful and unarmed.
“Esther Passaris’ proposed amendment of the law to restrict public protests near key government installations contravenes Article 37, which states that protesters should take their memorandum to public offices,” Wamae said.
Adding;
“It should read instead that protesters should not protest near private installations; that way, it makes more sense.”
Teso South Member of Parliament (MP) Mary Emase sparked the debate with fleeting remarks to make amendments to the law governing the right to picket and demonstrate in the country.
Speaking in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the MP stated that restricting the demonstrations to a specific place would preserve public safety and order.
“We need to bring a new law and an amendment to designate places for holding demonstrations. The law should stipulate that we have a specific law for holding demonstrations. We cannot have people roaming without an agenda and destroying people’s properties in the name of demos,” she asserted.
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