NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has introduced a controversial Bill in Parliament that seeks to restrict public demonstrations near key government installations, including the National Assembly, court buildings, and protected areas.
The Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes sweeping changes to the current Public Order Act (Cap. 56), aims to create buffer zones around sensitive sites, barring any form of public gatherings within 100 metres of their perimeters.
According to the proposed law, anyone who stages a protest or public meeting within the restricted zones would risk a fine of up to Sh100,000, a jail term not exceeding three months, or both.
“Any public meeting or public procession should not be held within a radius of 100 metres from the precincts of Parliament, protected areas under the Protected Areas Act, and courtrooms,” reads the Bill in part.
The Bill further gives the Interior Cabinet Secretary sweeping powers to designate official assembly and demonstration zones, in consultation with county governments, effectively introducing designated protest areas across the country.
Tighter Controls on Protests
The proposed legislation comes at a time of heightened public agitation and regular protests, many of them led by Gen Z demonstrators against the government’s economic policies.
While Chapter 56 of the existing Public Order Act already requires organizers to notify police at least three days in advance of a public event and to provide specific details — including venue, time, and contact information — the amendments seek to tighten enforcement and introduce criminal penalties for gatherings near high-security areas.
Critics have in the past argued that such measures risk stifling freedom of assembly, a right enshrined under Article 37 of the Constitution.
However, proponents say they are necessary to balance public safety with the right to protest.
The Bill’s introduction follows recent chaotic protests near Parliament and government offices, where security forces clashed with demonstrators, resulting in arrests, injuries, and widespread property damage.
If passed, the law could reshape how Kenyans engage in public dissent, potentially moving demonstrations away from political power centers and into government-designated zones.
