In a recent public statement, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris voiced her frustration with the lack of respect from some young people online.
Speaking openly, she described uncomfortable experiences with certain individuals who have, without her consent, shared inappropriate photos and messages after obtaining her contact information.
“Ata mimi kama mheshimiwa saa zingine vijanaa wananikosea heshima,” Passaris said, expressing how disheartening it is to receive disrespectful messages despite her role as a public servant.
“Unajua ile wakati waliweka namba yangu kwa mtandao wakaanza kusalimia kila mtu… wakaanza kunitumia mapicha ya vitu ambayo ata sijui ni nini.” She added.
She detailed the extent of these interactions, sharing how some young people sent her explicit images, often with shocking comments.
“Sijui wanafikiria hiyo kitu ni nini lazima niiangalie. Wengine wananiambia vile wakona inches, inches na inches. Sasa mimi nafikiria, ‘wewe ni kijana kama mtoto wangu,’” she stated,
The Nairobi Women Representative who recently turned 60, underscored the disconnect in values that these interactions reveal, pointing out that such behavior overlooks her age and role in society.
Passaris went on to condemn these actions, calling them not only disrespectful but also troubling. She questioned why some young people feel comfortable sending such personal images, especially when they know little about the recipient beyond their public profile.
“Then you remove your innerwear and proceed to take a picture of your private part. Unaniambia nifanye nini na hiyo kitu?” she asked.
Passaris even suggested that some images might not even belong to the senders but are simply downloads from the internet.
“Ata labda si yako, you have downloaded it online because yours isn’t even photogenic.” she added.