Collection of Signatures to Recall Esther Passaris Kicks Off in Nairobi

A storm is brewing in Nairobi’s political arena as a group of voters has formally launched the process to recall Nairobi County Woman Representative, Hon. Esther Muthoni Passaris.

In a notice addressed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on July 20, the petitioners led by Starehe voter and civic activist Abdi Yussuf accused Passaris of abandoning her constitutional duties and failing to represent the interests of Nairobi residents.

Citing Article 104 of the Constitution and the Recall of Elected Representatives Act of 2011, the group outlined their intent to remove Passaris from office, pointing to what they describe as a sustained failure to engage with grassroots communities, missed opportunities in Parliament, and a track record that reflects loyalty to political elites over the people.

The petition, which has already begun to circulate publicly, accuses Passaris of betraying the leadership and integrity standards outlined in Article 73 of the Constitution.

Central to their grievances is her controversial support for a bill that seeks to ban protests, a move critics argue strikes at the heart of Kenya’s democratic freedoms enshrined in Article 37.

Passaris has publicly admitted her role in advancing the anti-protest legislation, sparking outrage among civil society groups and Gen Z activists who were at the forefront of last year’s demonstrations against the Finance Bill.

Her silence during those turbulent months marked by police brutality, abductions, and deaths is being interpreted by her critics as complicity, or at the very least, indifference.

In their petition, the voters also accuse her of weaponizing her office for partisan gain rather than serving the non-partisan, service-oriented mandate that the Woman Representative position is meant to uphold.

By aligning herself too closely with power brokers and shielding herself from public scrutiny, they argue, Passaris has forfeited her legitimacy.

This latest recall effort adds her name to a growing list of lawmakers facing pressure from disgruntled constituents.

Just this week, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood laughed off a similar attempt to recall him, calling it a “pipe dream” and dismissing it as the handiwork of political losers. Dawood, like Passaris, has been accused of backing unpopular legislation and failing to respond to public outcry over state repression .

Even as signature drives gain momentum in parts of the country, the IEBC has sought to temper public expectations.

Speaking in Mombasa, commission chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon clarified that, contrary to widespread social media claims, the electoral body has only received four formal recall petitions so far.

He noted that while Kenyans have the right to initiate a recall, each case must meet strict constitutional and legal thresholds, including substantial public support and verifiable grounds such as abuse of office, gross misconduct, or violation of integrity laws .

The path to recalling a Member of Parliament in Kenya is long and bureaucratic.

Petitioners must collect signatures from at least one-third of registered voters in the affected constituency, evenly spread across multiple wards a logistical nightmare in a sprawling metropolis like Nairobi.

Once submitted, the IEBC must verify the signatures before proceeding to a recall vote.

If the majority supports the motion, a by-election is triggered.

As the political heat rises, Hon. Esther Passaris has yet to issue a public response to the petition, but allies close to her suggest she may dismiss the effort as an extension of online mob pressure and politically motivated backlash.

Whether this petition will mark a turning point in citizen accountability or join the growing pile of stalled recall efforts remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that Nairobi’s political undercurrents are shifting and the electorate is watching more closely than ever before.