A formal move to recall Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Muthoni Passaris is underway, following the submission of a petition by a concerned voter, Abdi Yussuf.

The petition, which details three major grounds for the recall, accuses Passaris of ineffective representation, abuse of public trust, and exploiting her office for partisan objectives.

The document calls on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to acknowledge its receipt and initiate the necessary legal procedures, citing rising public dissatisfaction and calls for leadership accountability.

Among the concerns raised, the legislator is said to have distanced herself from grassroots issues, shown minimal participation in parliamentary engagements, and made little impact on critical matters such as women’s rights, youth empowerment, and access to healthcare.

The petition also faults Passaris for allegedly supporting legislation perceived to infringe on the right to protest, protected under Article 37 of the Constitution, and for her silence during incidents of police violence and extrajudicial killings in Nairobi particularly during the youth-led demonstrations in 2024.

Despite the non-partisan expectations tied to the office of Woman Representative, the petition alleges that Passaris has leaned heavily into partisan politics, undermining her obligations to the public and eroding citizen trust.

"This petition is anchored in law and driven by a collective desire to restore transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in Nairobi County," stated the lead petitioner, Abdi Yussuf.

The IEBC has yet to release a formal response.

The recall petition is grounded in Kenya’s legal and constitutional framework, which allows voters to recall a Member of Parliament on specific grounds, including Breach of Chapter Six on Leadership and Integrity, Serious misconduct, Physical or mental incapacity to fulfill official duties. The law requires that:

At least 30% of registered voters in the affected constituency or county support the petition,

A minimum of 15% of voters in each ward also endorse the effort,

The IEBC verifies the signatures and, if requirements are met, facilitates a recall election. The Leadership and Integrity Act, which enforces Chapter Six of the Constitution, mandates that public officers must uphold honesty, public service, and accountability, while avoiding any conduct that may bring their office into disrepute.

The petition asserts that Hon. Passaris has failed to live up to these constitutional ideals particularly the principles of inclusivity, public participation, integrity, and accountability through both her actions and omissions.