"Aladwa amenipea blessings" Esther Passaris Officially Declares Bid for Makadara MP Seat in 2027

Esther Passaris and George Aladwa During a fundraser at Makadara

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has formally declared that she will vie for the Makadara parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.

Passaris made the announcement on Friday, February 13, during a fundraiser for Phase Two classrooms at Bidii School in Makadara.

While addressing residents, she clarified earlier remarks in which she had indicated she would not seek re-election as Woman Representative, saying her party urged her to reconsider.

According to Passaris, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) advised her to defend the Woman Representative seat to ensure it remains within the party, especially amid anticipated zoning arrangements under the broad-based government framework.

She explained that ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are working partners and would consult on seat-sharing strategies to maximise their overall numbers in 2027.

However, Passaris said that after consultations — and with the blessings of Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat — she resolved to contest the Makadara MP position instead.

“So saa ile sitaki kusimama kama Woman Rep, chama yangu (ODM) imenipigia simu ikaniambia wachana na hiyo. Kwa sababu wewe lazima you defend hiyo kiti ikae kwa ODM kwa sababu kutakuwa na zoning. Unajua sisi kama ODM na UDA we're partners.

Tutakaa tuangalie, unajua ile kitu muhimu ni kudeliver for the broad-based government the most seats. So, because Aladwa amenipatia blessings zake let me declare here that I shall run for MP in Makadara constituency,” she said to cheers from the crowd.

Beyond her personal ambitions, Passaris renewed her call for increased female representation in Nairobi politics.

She noted that despite Nairobi having 26 constituencies, women remain underrepresented in Parliament. In 2017, she observed, only two women — herself and Mercy Gakuya — were elected as MPs in the city. In 2022, the number remained two, herself and Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi.

Passaris argued that two women out of 26 elected National Assembly representatives is insufficient.

She challenged women voters to rally behind female aspirants in future elections, expressing hope that more women would secure seats in constituencies such as Embakasi North and Embakasi Central, as well as at the Member of County Assembly level.

“I had announced that I was not going to run for Woman Rep because I have already served two terms. I wanted to give another woman a chance. I want to see Nairobi having at least seven or eight women MPs… Women, let us vote for our fellow women. We need more women in Nairobi, even in the MCA,” she urged.