In the post, shared on his verified Facebook account, Owino referred to Passaris as Grandma Passaris and went further to make an explicit personal allegation, writing that not everybody will accept her sexual advances, before adding the phrase “Socialite Bimbo.”
The message was accompanied by photos of Passaris at public events. The post quickly circulated across Kenyan social media, where screenshots spread widely and drew polarized reactions.
The language used by the MP has been widely interpreted as a personal attack rather than policy criticism, with commentators noting that it crossed into character assassination and gender based insults.
Kenyan public discourse norms and legal frameworks expect elected leaders to maintain decorum, even in political disagreement.
The Leadership and Integrity Act requires state officers to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains public confidence and respect for others, while parliamentary standing orders discourage abusive or insulting language among members.
Legal analysts have also pointed out that making sexual misconduct allegations without evidence can expose a speaker to defamation claims under Kenyan civil law.
Defamation occurs when false statements presented as fact harm a person’s reputation. Because the post was issued from a verified account belonging to a sitting MP, it carries heightened reputational impact and public scrutiny.
Women’s rights advocates and political observers criticized the remarks as misogynistic and emblematic of the hostility female politicians often face in Kenya’s male dominated political arena.
Passaris, who has long been vocal on gender equality and social justice issues, has previously spoken about online harassment targeting women leaders.
The episode has therefore reignited discussion about the need for respectful engagement and stronger enforcement of ethical standards in political communication.
As of the time of writing, Passaris had not publicly responded to the specific remarks. Owino also had not issued an apology or clarification regarding the post.
In past instances involving controversial statements by public officials, pressure from the public, party leadership, or parliamentary bodies has sometimes led to retractions or disciplinary review, though outcomes vary.
The incident underscores the growing influence of politicians’ personal social media accounts in shaping public debate in Kenya.
Verified accounts are treated by the public as authoritative sources, meaning statements posted there are generally assumed authentic and intentional.
Consequently, inflammatory content can escalate quickly into national controversy and potential legal exposure.
Beyond the immediate political fallout, the exchange has highlighted broader concerns about civility in Kenya’s online political space. Analysts warn that normalization of personal attacks undermines issue-based debate and public trust in institutions.
With social media now a central arena of political communication, observers argue that adherence to ethical standards online is as critical as conduct within formal parliamentary settings.
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