Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called on politicians to treat each other with respect even when they disagree.

In a statement she posted on her X account on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Passaris said leaders must debate without destroying relationships, and should put the public interest above political grudges.

Passaris urged political players to separate fierce disagreement from personal attacks. She said healthy debate helps democracy, but personal hostility weakens public trust and makes it harder to solve real problems for citizens. She asked leaders to show restraint, listen more, and set an example for young people and for public conversation.

The lawmaker also stressed that strong convictions do not have to mean hatred for opponents. She encouraged politicians to keep policy fights focused on ideas, not on insulting or demeaning rivals. Passaris argued that respect and civility make it possible to work together when the country needs urgent action.

“When President Trump and Elon Musk were spotted chatting during Charlie Kirk’s memorial, it reminded the world that political differences should never translate into personal hostility,” Passaris stated.

Adding;

“In Kenya, we must learn to debate without destroying relationships, to respect rivals while standing firm in our convictions, and to put the interests of the people above political grudges. True leadership is measured not by how loud we argue, but by how well we reconcile.”

Trump and Elon Musk

Her appeal comes after U.S President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk were seen sitting together and talking during the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona.

The conversation between Trump and Musk drew attention because the two men had clashed in public earlier this year. Musk publicly criticised a major Trump-backed spending bill in June, calling it severely flawed, and the disagreement grew into a high-profile rift that played out on social media and in news coverage.