Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has expressed reservations on proposals made by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on regulating protests.
In a statement dated Thursday, July 3, the MP stated that he respectfully disagrees with the proposal.
Omollo was reacting to the proposals by his colleagues, which will limit areas where Kenyans can protest.
"Esther Passaris proposes an amendment to the protest law proposal? I respectfully disagree," he wrote.
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Earlier in the week, Passaris presented her proposals to the National Assembly's committee on security.
According to the county MP, the proposals seek to protect lives and also safeguard key institutions such as Parliament and State House.
For instance, in the proposals, protesters will be banned from protesting within 100 meters of protected areas.
"The bill proposes to define public meetings and processions. It seeks to introduce designated assembly and demonstration zones, gazetted in consultations with county governments," she stated.
"It prohibits public gatherings within 100 meters of key institutions, namely Parliament, Courts, and protected areas listed in the Protected Areas Act."
This is not the first time that a bill has been proposed to regulate protests.
Initially, CS Geoffrey Ruku, while serving as an MP, proposed the Demonstration Bill of 2024 that also sought to regulate protests.
However, after an uproar and Gen Z protests in 2024, he withdrew the bill.
