Wednesday, 2 July, 2025
Security Committee reviews legislative proposals seeking to amend the Public Order Bill and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Bill
Bunge Towers Tuesday, 1st July 2025
The Administration and Internal Security Committee has reviewed the Public Order (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Public Order Act, Cap. 56, to provide for the demarcation of specific zones where public meetings and processions may be held.
Appearing before the Committee, Hon. Esther Passaris (Nairobi) the sponsor of the Bill noted its timeliness, citing the recent demonstrations witnessed across the country.
While giving her remarks, Hon. Passaris emphasized that the Bill does not intend to curtail Constitutional rights but rather aims to protect both lives and property.
“Drawing from the recent demonstrations, what we are witnessing borders on anarchy. My presence here today is to inform this Committee that there are legal gaps. This Bill does not strip citizens of their rights; it seeks to protect them and their property,” said Hon. Passaris.
Currently, assemblies, demonstrations, and picketing are governed by Article 37 of the Constitution and the Public Order Act, Cap. 56, specifically Section 5, which outlines the regulation of public meetings and processions.
While Members of the Committee acknowledged the relevance of the Bill, they expressed concern that designating protest zones might defeat the purpose of demonstrations, which are typically intended to express dissatisfaction publicly.
They urged Hon. Passaris to refine her proposal in a manner that assures the public their rights remain protected.
In a separate session, the Committee met with Hon. Owen Baya ( Kilifi North), whose legislative proposal, the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Bill, seeks to amend the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Cap. 170, by removing the time limit for stateless persons to apply for citizenship.
The Bill proposes an amendment to Section 15 to allow stateless persons who have habitually resided in Kenya for at least seven continuous years to be deemed lawfully resident and, upon application, eligible for registration as Kenyan citizens.
Additionally, the Bill seeks to insert a new Section 15A to provide for the registration of children born to stateless parents.
Hon. Baya appealed to the Committee to expedite the Bill, emphasizing the hardships stateless individuals face.
“As you know, a stateless person cannot hold an ID card, and without it, they cannot conduct business like an ordinary citizen. This is an earnest plea to fast-track the Bill so these individuals can finally enjoy their rights,” he stated.
Committee Chair Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West) assured Hon. Baya that the Committee would address the Bill’s grey areas and adopt it for progression to the next stage.