Nairobi Women Representative Abandons County Role to Contest Local Parliamentary Seat

2026-02-22 region

Nairobi, 24 February 2026
Esther Passaris reveals she’s leaving her well-funded county-wide position to pursue the Makadara MP seat in 2027, citing financial frustrations with the Women Representative role. The strategic move capitalises on current MP George Aladwa’s gubernatorial ambitions, potentially leaving the constituency seat vacant. Passaris’s candidacy announcement on 23rd February 2026 signals a significant political realignment in Nairobi, where she’s served two consecutive terms since 2017 representing the entire county’s women.

Financial Constraints Drive Political Transition

Passaris’s decision to abandon her county-wide role stems from significant financial limitations within the Women Representative position. During her announcement on Monday, 23 February 2026, she described the role as being “like a Governor with no funds to run the country” [5]. The Women Representative position, despite its broad mandate to represent women across Nairobi County, lacks the financial resources necessary to implement meaningful development projects. This funding gap has reportedly frustrated Passaris throughout her tenure, prompting her strategic shift towards a parliamentary seat that offers greater legislative influence and constituency development funds [2].

Strategic Constituency Selection Process

The choice of Makadara constituency followed extensive consultations with party colleagues and careful evaluation of viable political options. Passaris revealed that she had initially considered contesting in either Westlands or Makadara constituencies before settling on the latter [2]. The political landscape shifted decisively when current Makadara MP George Aladwa signalled his intention to run for Nairobi governor in 2027, effectively creating a vacancy in the parliamentary race [2][5]. This development opened the door for Passaris to pursue the seat without facing an incumbent MP, significantly improving her electoral prospects in the urban constituency.

End of Women Representative Tenure

Passaris’s candidacy announcement formally signals the conclusion of her tenure as Nairobi Women Representative, a position she has held since 2017 [2]. Having served two consecutive terms, she had previously indicated her intention not to seek re-election to the affirmative action seat in 2027. On 22 November 2025, she publicly addressed speculation about her political future, stating: “By 2027, God willing, I will have completed two full terms as Nairobi Woman Rep. This is an affirmative action seat, and I believe it is time for another woman to lead” [2]. Her departure from the role reflects her belief that affirmative action positions should rotate among qualified women to maximise representation opportunities.

Political Realignment and 2027 Implications

The announcement represents a broader political realignment expected across Nairobi constituencies as the 2027 general elections approach. Passaris’s move reflects the domino effect often triggered when shifts occur at the gubernatorial level, with various politicians repositioning themselves for different electoral contests [2]. Her endorsement of President William Ruto’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid in November 2025, praising his leadership style and development agenda, demonstrates the evolving political dynamics within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) [2]. Despite this national political positioning, Passaris maintained that her immediate focus remained on completing her current mandate whilst delivering tangible results for women and vulnerable groups across Nairobi County.

Bronnen

Kenya politics parliamentary elections