Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has sparked online outrage after defending the police against claims of looting during the chaotic anti-police protests that rocked Nairobi on June 17.
In a tweet posted on X, Passaris stated that she had spoken to Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda, who assured her that the laptops stolen from an electronics shop were not looted by officers but rather recovered and were safely in police custody.
“Just spoke to the Regional Police Commandant Nairobi, Mr. Seda. The laptops looted from the electronics shop were recovered and are safely in police custody,” Passaris posted.
Just spoke to the Regional Police Commandant Nairobi Mr Seda, the laptops looted from the electronics shop were recovered and are safely in police custody.
— Esther Muthoni Passaris (@EstherPassaris) June 18, 2025
Nation Media your headline saying “police leave with laptops” is misleading. The right word is recovered, not leave.… https://t.co/EWuAJqZWw5
The legislator went on to accuse local media of misrepresenting the facts, singling out a local media outlet for a headline that claimed police were seen leaving with the laptops.
“Nation Media, your headline saying ‘police leave with laptops’ is misleading. The right word is recovered, not leave. Let’s report facts, not fuel mistrust,” she added.
Her remarks triggered a wave of backlash online, especially after multiple viral videos emerged showing police officers carrying away laptops from the streets into their vehicles.
The optics contradicted Passaris’s claims, especially in light of another disturbing CCTV video showing a group of alleged state-sponsored goons raiding Gatecom IT Solutions on Moi Avenue. The thugs made off with valuable electronics estimated to be worth millions.
Earlier in the day, groups of motorcycle-riding men, allegedly hired by city authorities, wreaked havoc across Nairobi.
Captured in numerous videos, they could be seen attacking protestors, harassing bystanders, and looting businesses. Many carried makeshift weapons and reportedly chanted in support of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, shouting:
“Igwee! Sakaja tumelinda jiji. Hatuwaogopi. Wakuje sasa,” as they passed by City Hall.
Instead of intervening to stop the destruction, police officers were caught on video escorting the very gangs accused of violence and theft, fuelling public suspicion that the law enforcers were in league with the attackers.
This isn’t the first time Passaris has defended individuals linked to controversy. Kenyans have reminded her of her previous remarks supporting Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who recently stepped aside after being implicated in the custodial death of 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’.
The protests, initially peaceful, erupted following Ojwang’s death and intensified after the recent killing of Boniface Kariuki, a hawker who was fatally shot at close range by a police officer during the demonstrations.
Social media users have not held back. One wrote:
“Basic police ethics. Crime: people stole laptops. Intervention: recover them. Ethical: glove as you retrieve them, dust for fingerprints, and identify the criminals. Oh wait, we can’t.”
Another added:
“Who gave them permission to leave with those laptops? We know the script.”
One user bluntly challenged the Woman Rep’s frequent defences:
“Wewe nawe unakuanga always in contact with those on the wrong side of the law. Na huyu killer cop umeongea na yeye?”
As the protests continue and the public demands transparency, Passaris finds herself at the centre of a credibility storm, accused of siding with a system many Kenyans feel is no longer protecting them.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments and special offers!
