Esther Passaris Questions Kitengela Rally Turnout as Sifuna Event Sparks Political Firestorm
The political heat from Kitengela hasn’t cooled. Not even close.
A day after thousands gathered for the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kajiado county, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris stepped forward with sharp claims — and even sharper criticism — aimed at Edwin Sifuna and sections of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
And just like that, what looked like a routine opposition rally turned into a full-blown debate about mobilisation, loyalty, and political honesty.
Passaris Claims Supporters Were Ferried from Nairobi
Speaking during an interview on Monday, February 16, Passaris alleged that the massive turnout at the Kitengela rally wasn’t entirely organic.
According to her, several buses and matatus transported supporters from Nairobi estates, including Kawangware and Lucky Summer.
“If you look at Kitengela, I know there were a few buses and matatus from Nairobi. Normally, when UDA does its thing, it does it transparently; they have school buses that bring people. You hear they had buses from Kawangware and Lucky Summer to attend the Kitengela rally. They criticise UDA and ODM when we mobilise, but they also do it,” she said.
Her remarks didn’t stop at logistics. She went further, claiming that members from other opposition outfits — including DCP and Wiper Patriotic Front — were also present at the event.
The implication? That the rally’s optics may not fully reflect spontaneous grassroots enthusiasm.
Accusations of Disrespect Toward Raila Odinga
But the real sting came when Passaris shifted focus to what she described as internal party discipline.
She accused Sifuna of allowing his personal opinions to overshadow official party positions — and, in her view, undermining former ODM leader Raila Odinga in the process.
“That was very sad. At a certain point, we had Baba say ton down. Sifuna has allowed his personal views to be communicated as official party positions from the office he holds,” Passaris stated.
There was frustration in her tone. You could feel it.
She suggested the Nairobi senator has positioned himself as bigger than the party — something she described as a serious misstep for a leader operating under ODM’s banner.
Tononoka Grounds Payment Allegations
While Kitengela dominated headlines, another controversy simmered online.
A circulating video alleged that ODM supporters were being paid as they entered Tononoka Grounds during the Linda Ground rally led by party leader Oburu Oginga.
Passaris dismissed the claims — but cautiously.
“I have not been online to check whether people were paid at Tononoka Grounds or not. When people come for a rally, like my team, I will organise something for them. But now we are in a dangerous space where people can just line up others, give them money, record the money, and start pushing that propaganda. You can never pay all participants in a rally,” she said.
Her point was simple: in today’s digital environment, videos can be staged. Narratives can be engineered. And perception spreads faster than truth.
Still, the question lingers — in politics, where does mobilisation end and manipulation begin?
Kenyans React — And They’re Not Holding Back
As expected, Kenyans online had plenty to say.
Jimmy Mbalwe offered a blunt take:
“It’s true. Did you expect us to walk from Kawangware to Kitengela?”
Monnie Wangui seemed unbothered:
“ODM members ferried to an ODM rally, meaning there were no intruders. Shida ni gani haswa?”
Wycliff Wycliff questioned the consistency:
“But she’s been online to check the people who were ferried to Kitengela? Sad.”
Raf Arap K-phat added:
‘It’s okay to attend a rally anywhere, whether you walk there, use your car or matatu… Kicks of a dying horse.’
Musau Mutala weighed in with a logistical argument:
“Kitengela witnessed fans all over using different means of transport, even some mobilised and came as a group, but there was never a single case of handouts.”
And Benard Mwayi struck a balanced note:
“It’s not humanely possible to pay such crowds, but money is used anyway.”
The Bigger Political Picture
Beyond the buses and videos, this moment reveals something deeper.
There’s tension inside ODM. There’s rivalry. There’s positioning ahead of future battles.
Kitengela wasn’t just a rally. It was a statement — and statements invite responses.
Whether supporters were ferried or not may matter less than the optics. In Kenyan politics, perception often shapes reality.
One thing is clear: the debate isn’t ending anytime soon.
And as alliances shift and ambitions rise, rallies like Kitengela will continue to spark more than just cheers.
They’ll spark questions.
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Esther Passaris Questions Kitengela Rally Turnout as Sifuna Event Sparks Political Firestorm