Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris speaks at Sarova Panafric during dialogue on Intersex Persons Bill, June 19, 2025. /ESTHER PASSARIS/XNairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has challenged Kenyan youth to be part of the change they are pushing for in the National Police Service.
Kenyan youth, popular as Gen Z, have for weeks been pushing for an end to police brutality through online advocacy and street protests sparked by the June 8 death in custody of Homa Bay teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang'.
Their hunger for police reforms was fueled by the shooting of a face mask vendor on Tuesday as they protested in Nairobi streets, demanding accountability and justice in Ojwang's death.
While acknowledging that there are indeed some rogue officers in the NPS, Passaris said Gen Z has a real opportunity to drive the change agenda from within by enlisting with the service.
"When the next police recruitment opens up, don’t just criticise; take up the challenge; join the Kenya Police Service and be part of the change you want to see from within. The Kenya Police Service needs you," she said.
Passaris has emerged as a fierce defender of the police amid growing condemnation for their excessive use of force against largely peaceful protesters.
The woman rep contends that blanket condemnation of the service is unfair, as there are officers who conduct themselves with fidelity to the law.
"Let’s fix the system without condemning those who still serve us with integrity," she said in a post on X.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) took over investigations into Ojwang's death and Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam has since been arrested and detained as investigations continue.
A cell sentry who was on duty on the night Ojwang' was allegedly beaten to death by fellow detainees was also arrested and detained alongside the remandees.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Ojwang' also stepped aside to pave the way for impartial investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, two police officers were on Thursday arraigned over the near-fatal shooting of the face mask vendor.
Klinzy Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono have been linked to the shooting of Boniface Kariuki—also known as Eli Joshua—on Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s CBD on Tuesday.
The two officers who are attached to Kileleshwa police station were detained for 15 days at Capitol Hill police station to allow the prosecution to complete its investigations.
