Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has blamed politics to a booing incident during a march against femicide in Nairobi.
In a statement on X, Passaris said she was the available punching bag to let out frustrations for the hecklers and to settle political scores.
“I was booed because I was the available punching bag to let out frustrations and to settle political scores. Not because “you did little too late”. I have been on a planning wall with CSOs for the Femicide March from inception. National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and my entire team stood up to be counted as mandated. We finished the march strong. Now back to work knowing we are ALL part of the solution and the problem,” she said.
Passaris was responding to an X user who felt that she had done too little too late on the issue of escalating femicide cases in Kenya.
“I think the issue is people felt you did too little too late, considering. Perhaps this is an opportunity to put in place some frameworks to fight the misogyny that plays huge factor in femicide,” the user said.
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, Passaris faced a hostile crowd in Nairobi while delivering a speech on femicide cases in Kenya.
Her speech was cut short by rowdy hecklers who demanded that she leave the march and go home, forcing her bodyguards to whisk her away to safety.
The crowd accused Passaris of maintaining silence over the alarming cases of violence against women in recent weeks and refused the lawmaker a platform to speak.
“Where were you? Go home! Where were you!” the crowd chanted.
Passaris message to Ruto
Before her speech was cut short, Passaris urged President William Ruto to express his support in the fight against femicide.
“I’ve talked to some Cabinet Secretaries and emphasized the need for the President’s voice on this matter. I’m pleased that our party leader, Raila Odinga, addressed it. We require the President to do the same and recognize that the families affected by these brutal murders are going through immense trauma. They need assurance that the government is working on their behalf and that the President empathizes with their pain,” Esther expressed.
