Passaris Slams Gen Z for Mocking Raila and the Pope with AI Memes

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has come out strongly against a wave of satirical content spreading on social media that portrays ODM leader Raila Odinga as the next Pope. The viral AI-generated memes emerged in the wake of Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday.

Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Passaris condemned the mockery, stating it was disrespectful not only to the late Pope but also to the Catholic faithful and to Raila Odinga himself.

“I have seen a lot of people on social media, the ones who have no respect, painting a picture of a man who lived with God and ruled two billion people as a spiritual leader by putting Raila’s image and Raila in Pope clothes. I think that is so disrespectful,” Passaris said.

She urged Kenya’s Gen Z population to exercise decorum when engaging online.

“I want to tell our Gen Zs out there, you should have respect for Raila Odinga, the two billion Catholics, and the Pope. He has not even been laid to rest, and you use his passing as a mockery. It is something you should be ashamed of,” she added.

The viral memes, which feature Odinga in papal attire, are believed to poke fun at the former Prime Minister’s unsuccessful bids for top political seats both locally and continentally, including the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after a month-long battle with double pneumonia. According to the Vatican, the Pope succumbed to complications following a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

He will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, at the Basilica of St Mary Major in accordance with his wishes for a simple grave marked only with the inscription: “Franciscus.”

The Vatican has since released an official report on the Pope’s passing, signed by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of Health and Hygiene for Vatican City.

Passaris’ comments have since stirred mixed reactions online, with some users defending satire as freedom of expression, while others echoed her sentiments and called for digital responsibility during times of global mourning.

In other news: Nyamira Nightmare: Pastor Caught Defiling a 14-year-old Inside Church

Passaris Slams Gen Z for Mocking Raila and the Pope with AI Memes