Passaris, Didmus Barasa angrily condemn mockery of Raila as Pope in viral meme trend

Members of Parliament Esther Passaris and Didmus Barasa have lashed out at a controversial wave of online satire mocking Raila Odinga by dressing him in papal robes.

The politicians noted that the viral memes have crossed the line between humour and disrespect.

Passaris, the Nairobi Woman Representative and the Kimilili MP both spoke out strongly, denouncing the digital trend that compares the ODM leader to the late Pope.

Passaris, in a heartfelt post shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, described the memes as a sign of moral decay in society.

“In a society that claims to value culture, leadership, and faith, we must pause when our youth reduce two respected elders, The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, a Statesman, and The Departed Shepherd of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, into symbols of ridicule,” she wrote.

In a society that claims to value culture, leadership, and faith, we must pause when our youth reduce two respected elders—The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, a Statesman, and The Departed Shepherd Of the Catholic Church Pope Francis, a global spiritual leader—into symbols of ridicule.…

— Esther Muthoni Passaris (@EstherPassaris) April 23, 2025

Passaris added, “This is not humour. This is the erosion of values. We can challenge leaders. We can question policies. But when satire becomes disrespect, and sacred vestments are used to demean, we lose not just respect for others, we lose respect for ourselves.”

She hailed Raila not just as a veteran politician, but as a symbol of Kenya’s democratic struggle, “an elder, a freedom fighter, a father of democracy.” 

Equally, she honoured Pope Francis as a global beacon of compassion and unity. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88.

“To mock one using the imagery of the other is to dishonour both,” she added. “Let us raise a generation that disagrees with dignity.”

Barasa echoed Passaris’s sentiments and condemned the edited photos circulating online, calling them “deeply disrespectful.”

“I humbly urge all Kenyans, especially Wamunyoro disciples, to use these spaces as tools for unity and nation-building, not division and propaganda,” he wrote. “Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga is a prominent and respected leader in our country who deserves to be treated with dignity.”

Barasa further noted that the memes were not just an attack on Raila but also a disrespectful affront to the Catholic Church and Christian community at large.

“The circulation of edited images depicting him in the Pope’s attire is deeply disrespectful—not only to him but also to the Catholic Church and the entire Christian fraternity,” Barasa said. 

He added, “As we stand in solidarity with the Catholic Church and the global Christian community mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, we must uphold values of respect and empathy.”

Pope Francis, remembered for his humility, reformist spirit, and unwavering commitment to peace and the poor, had been battling health complications in the months leading up to his death.