Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris has claimed that external entities are funding the protests in Kenya with a view to sowing division and instability in the country.
Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, July 6, 2025, the politician confirmed being privy to information of individuals fueling from behind the scenes.
Her sentiments come amid rising political tension as Kenyans prepare to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba protests.
Funding the skirmishes
“From the messages I have gotten, I know there are a lot of people who are funding this kind of poverty in our country from outside,” she revealed.
The lawmaker sent a word of caution to the unnamed persons, citing them for endangering the lives of innocent Kenyan youth as they sit back and watch from afar.
“Remember, you are living outside, and you are leaving Kenya and the youths right here. Those who are saying, Invade the institutions of government. They are not on the front line; instead, it’s innocent children of families in despair that are going to lose their lives,” she cautioned.
The ODM lawmaker parted by urging Kenyans to embrace peaceful protest on Monday, July 7, 2025.
“Going on the streets every week is only good when it is peaceful. I pray that tomorrow it will be peaceful. Let us work together and dialogue towards a peaceful Kenya,” she concluded.
Passaris’ remarks come barely hours after church leaders called on security agencies to practice restraint ahead of the planned Saba Saba protests.
NCCK rallies for peace
In a statement on Sunday, July 6, 2025, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), raised concerns over the growing trend of what they termed as the state blatantly, violently, and illegally denying Kenyans the right to picket.
The clerics lamented the recent fatal shootings of peaceful protesters and the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen’s shoot-to-kill orders, which pose a great threat to the freedom of protest in Kenya.
The churches demanded that police officers act within the confines of the National Police Service Act and provide adequate security to all peaceful and unarmed demonstrators.
“The police must not facilitate or partner with the armed goons who have been terrorising Kenyans and should instead arrest them together with their financiers,” read the statement in part.
“Equally disturbing is the wanton destruction of public infrastructure and private businesses during protest acts that go unpunished, raising suspicions of police complicity.”
