Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called out a section of Kenyans that have been mocking Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga online using Pope’s imagery.
Taking to her official X account on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Passaris stated that it was uncalled for for the youth to reduce Raila and the departed shepherd of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, into symbols of ridicule.
According to the ODM lawmaker, mocking the two leaders using imagery is not humour but erosion of values. She further warned the Kenyan youth against using satire to disrespect leaders.
“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—to symbols of ridicule. 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,” Passaris stated.
Passaris urges respect
While calling on Kenyans to respect Raila, Passaris argued that he is not just a political figure but an elder, a freedom fighter, and a father of democracy in Kenya.
She also stated that Pope Francis is not just a religious leader but a symbol of compassion, humility, and global unity.
“@RailaOdinga is not just a political figure. He is an elder, a freedom fighter, a father of democracy in Kenya. The Late Holy Father Pope Francis is not just a religious leader. He is a symbol of compassion, humility, and global unity. To mock one using the imagery of the other is to dishonour both. Let us raise a generation that disagrees with dignity,” Passaris wrote on X.
Didmus Barasa’s reaction
Her statement comes just a day after Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa urged Kenyans to respect the former Prime Minister amid the passing of Pope Francis.
Barasa, in a statement shared via his official social media accounts on Monday, April 21, 2025, condemned Kenyans for editing and circulating images depicting Raila in the Pope’s attire.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker further urged Kenyans to use digital spaces as tools for unity and nation-building, and not for division and propaganda.
He went ahead to state that Raila, as a prominent and respected leader in the country, deserves to be treated with dignity.
According to Barasa, the circulation of edited images depicting him in the Pope’s attire is deeply disrespectful—not only to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader but also to the Catholic Church and the entire Christian fraternity.
“I humbly urge all Kenyans, especially Wamunyoro disciples, to use these spaces as tools for unity and nation-building, not division and propaganda. Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga is a prominent and respected leader in our country who deserves to be treated with dignity. 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. As we stand in solidarity with the Catholic Church and the global Christian community mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Barasa stated.