Passaris Endorses Karen Nyamu for Nairobi Woman Rep Seat in 2027
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has formally announced that she will not defend her seat in the 2027 General Election, signalling the end of her decade-long tenure in the affirmative action office. The two-term MP made the declaration on Wednesday, November 19, while attending a public engagement where she also offered an unexpected endorsement for nominated Senator Karen Nyamu as her preferred successor.
Passaris, who has served since 2017, told attendees that she believes it is time to pave the way for new leadership, noting that the Woman Representative position is intended to create rotational opportunities for women in politics.
“Karen is not bold enough so I’m going to do this for her,” she said, openly backing the UDA-affiliated senator. “I said I was not going to run for Woman Rep again, and the reason why I’m not going to run again in 2027 is because it is an affirmative seat. If I have done it for two terms, I need to look for something else to do.”
Turning directly to Nyamu, Passaris urged her to take a firm stand on her political ambitions rather than offering vague hints about her intentions.
“Karen is one of the contenders for Woman Rep; don’t come here and say ‘I’m thinking’. You are running. I wish you all the best,” she added, drawing applause from the audience.
Recent Defence of Her Political Alliances
Passaris’s latest announcement comes months after she defended her decision to cooperate politically with President William Ruto, a position that sparked criticism from some Azimio supporters. In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 29, the ODM legislator insisted that her priority remained service delivery, not factional battles.
“My leadership is guided by development and not personal vendettas,” she said at the time. “I will not inherit the burden of enmity or be forced into battles that will not deliver for my people what they need most. I stand firmly with President William Ruto because leadership is about progress, not personal grudges.”
Passaris further challenged those eyeing her seat to present concrete development plans instead of attempting to discredit her record.
“Those who want my seat must show what they can offer, not attempt to destroy what I’ve built. True leaders rise by lifting others, not by pulling them down,” she stated.
Public Order Bill Controversy
Her tenure has also faced scrutiny over the contentious Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which critics alleged was aligned with President Ruto’s interests. Passaris dismissed those claims, stating on July 4 that the Bill was her independent initiative, drafted in response to the chaotic Finance Bill protests of 2024, which saw demonstrators storm Parliament and set parts of the building ablaze.
“William Samoei Ruto, when I brought this Bill, which is a private member’s bill, he didn’t even know. He read about it online himself,” she said. “I started that bill on October 18, 2024. That’s after Gen Z stormed Parliament. They broke things. People’s lives were threatened. Some people died.”
Following public outcry, Passaris announced on Monday, July 7, that she would temporarily halt the Bill’s progression to allow broader national consultation.
“I have decided to pause the pre-publication process of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025 to allow for national dialogue and wide public engagement,” she said. “This is an invitation to co-create legislation that safeguards constitutional freedoms while ensuring public order.”
A Shift in Nairobi’s Political Landscape
Passaris’s endorsement of Karen Nyamu is likely to reshape early political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 polls. Nyamu, a vocal and often controversial figure in national politics, has not formally declared her interest in the Woman Representative seat but is widely perceived as a strong contender within the ruling UDA coalition.
Passaris’s departure from the race creates an open contest for one of Nairobi’s most visible political positions, potentially setting the stage for a high-profile battle between emerging female leaders in the capital.
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Passaris Endorses Karen Nyamu for Nairobi Woman Rep Seat in 2027