Faith Masita
In a bold political pivot ahead of the 2027 General Election, Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Muthoni Passaris has officially declared her intention to run for the Makadara parliamentary seat, marking a significant shift from her current county-wide role.
Passaris, who has served as Nairobi Woman Representative since 2017 and was re-elected in 2022, confirmed her bid during a spirited rally at Bidii Primary School in Buruburu on 14 February 2026. The decision comes after earlier statements indicating she would not seek re-election to her existing seat an affirmative action position she believes should eventually pass to another woman leader.
“I have completed two terms as Woman Representative. This seat was established to improve women’s representation, and I feel now is the time for another capable woman to take it forward,” Passaris said during her declaration, reinforcing long-held views about the role’s purpose and rotation.
Passaris also revealed that Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is himself eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial race, has given her his blessing to succeed him in the constituency seat. Aladwa’s perceived endorsement is a major boost, as it signals internal coordination within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) the party under which Passaris has built her political career.
In her remarks, she framed the move as part of a broader push for greater female leadership in constituency politics, a space traditionally dominated by male candidates, especially in intensely competitive urban seats like Makadara.
Political analysts say Passaris’ shift from a county-wide affirmative action seat to a single-member constituency race is a calculated attempt to maintain relevance and influence ahead of the general elections. The Makadara seat is seen as a strategic contest ground, with rising competition from various parties seeking inroads in Nairobi’s political landscape.
Observers point out that Passaris’ visibility and activist reputation including outspoken positions on national issues such as civil liberties, public protests and civic rights continue to shape her public profile even as she navigates intra-party dynamics and opposition rivalries.
This is not the first time Passaris has telegraphed her intention to step aside from the Nairobi Woman Rep position. In late 2025 she made it clear that after serving two terms, she would not seek a third, describing her tenure as complete and indicating it was time to “look for something else to do”. At the time, she also dismissed rumours claiming she had already endorsed a successor, stressing party loyalty and process.
Her transition now underscores the shifting contours of Nairobi’s political theatre ahead of 2027, where seasoned legislators are repositioning themselves and new alliances are forming.
Passaris, who has served as Nairobi Woman Representative since 2017 and was re-elected in 2022, confirmed her bid during a spirited rally at Bidii Primary School in Buruburu on 14 February 2026. The decision comes after earlier statements indicating she would not seek re-election to her existing seat an affirmative action position she believes should eventually pass to another woman leader.
“I have completed two terms as Woman Representative. This seat was established to improve women’s representation, and I feel now is the time for another capable woman to take it forward,” Passaris said during her declaration, reinforcing long-held views about the role’s purpose and rotation.
Passaris also revealed that Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is himself eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial race, has given her his blessing to succeed him in the constituency seat. Aladwa’s perceived endorsement is a major boost, as it signals internal coordination within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) the party under which Passaris has built her political career.
In her remarks, she framed the move as part of a broader push for greater female leadership in constituency politics, a space traditionally dominated by male candidates, especially in intensely competitive urban seats like Makadara.
Political analysts say Passaris’ shift from a county-wide affirmative action seat to a single-member constituency race is a calculated attempt to maintain relevance and influence ahead of the general elections. The Makadara seat is seen as a strategic contest ground, with rising competition from various parties seeking inroads in Nairobi’s political landscape.
Observers point out that Passaris’ visibility and activist reputation including outspoken positions on national issues such as civil liberties, public protests and civic rights continue to shape her public profile even as she navigates intra-party dynamics and opposition rivalries.
This is not the first time Passaris has telegraphed her intention to step aside from the Nairobi Woman Rep position. In late 2025 she made it clear that after serving two terms, she would not seek a third, describing her tenure as complete and indicating it was time to “look for something else to do”. At the time, she also dismissed rumours claiming she had already endorsed a successor, stressing party loyalty and process.
Her transition now underscores the shifting contours of Nairobi’s political theatre ahead of 2027, where seasoned legislators are repositioning themselves and new alliances are forming.
