PASSARIS HITS BACK AFTER RECALL PETITION FILED, AS IEBC LAUNCHES REVIEW INTO ALLEGED VIOLATIONS

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has broken her silence after a petition to recall her was officially acknowledged by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), sparking a new political storm in the capital.

In a statement released on Monday, Passaris dismissed the petition as a politically motivated attack, saying she would not be drawn into divisive politics. She reiterated her commitment to service delivery, insisting that true leadership is measured by progress and upliftment—not slander or sabotage.

“Those who seek my seat must show what they can offer, not attempt to dismantle what I have built,” Passaris stated. “Leadership is not about personal grudges. I stand with President Ruto because our focus is on development, not destruction.”

Her response comes hours after the IEBC confirmed receipt of the petition filed by four individuals—Shakira Wafula, Marvin Mabonga, Dominic Omandi, and Cich Soet. The petition accuses Passaris of breaching multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 10, 35, 37, 73, and 232.

Among the grounds cited are failure to represent Nairobi women on issues such as police brutality, undermining public participation and peaceful protest, misuse of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and alleged alignment with executive overreach.

IEBC has commenced a preliminary review to assess whether the petition meets the threshold set out under the Elections Act. If cleared, the petitioners must gather signatures from at least 30% of Nairobi’s registered voters—roughly 750,000 people—spanning at least half of the city’s wards.

If the signatures are verified within 30 days, the Speaker of the National Assembly will be formally notified, triggering a recall election within 90 days.

While the process unfolds, Passaris appears unfazed, positioning herself as a servant leader under siege but focused on her mandate.

The IEBC has promised to give further direction once its initial assessment is complete.