Esther Passaris Calls for Return of Death Penalty to Curb Crime and Ease Tax Burden
Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris has reopened the debate on Kenya’s justice system by calling for the reintroduction of capital punishment, saying it will deter violent crimes and ease the financial burden on taxpayers.
Speaking on September 20, 2025, during a women’s empowerment forum in Kajiado attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders, Passaris said executions should be reinstated for those found guilty of murder.
She said keeping convicts in prison for life only drains public resources while denying victims’ families closure.
“Let’s hang that sentencing, but if someone has killed and it’s clear, even that one should be hanged… because we end up locking them up in cells and feeding them with taxpayer money. Let us bring back capital punishment; if we amend the constitution, it should be one of the amendments we are bringing,” she said.
This is more than three decades since Kenya last carried out an execution, despite thousands of inmates still on death row.
The country’s Supreme Court declared the mandatory death penalty unconstitutional in 2017, ruling that sentencing should allow for judicial discretion.
Passaris also linked her call to the rise of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), urging tougher measures to protect children, the elderly and vulnerable groups. “On SGBV, the issue has gotten out of hand and we need action… we are saying no to SGBV,” she said.
She also revisited the 2007-2008 post-election violence, urging President William Ruto’s government to compensate survivors of rape and other violations from that period. According to her, reconciliation and reparations will help victims rebuild their lives and bring lasting peace.
Passaris’ proposal came a day after Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina branded corruption a “capital offence punishable by death.” Maina said looting public resources should attract the harshest punishment, saying leadership should be about service, not greed.
Her post went viral online, with thousands of reactions as the public is angry over scandals including the Ksh800 million flagged printing expenditure by the Controller of Budget.
This is as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is training prosecutors handling defilement cases in specialized training as part of broader justice reforms for victims.
Legislators’ calls are part of the growing demand for harsher laws as Kenyans weigh deterrence, justice and human rights.
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Esther Passaris Calls for Return of Death Penalty to Curb Crime and Ease Tax Burden