Passaris Recall Bid Proves Who’s Really in Charge: The People

A recall storm is brewing around Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, as four voters formally petition the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to send her packing.

Their allegations paint a critical picture –accusing Passaris of undermining peaceful protests, siding with executive overreach, and turning a blind eye to police brutality against Nairobi women.

This isn’t just an attempt at making history –it’s a generational flex. These four young voters are stepping into the ring with unmoved understanding of democratic power, determined to rewrite what civic engagement looks like in Kenya.

With precision timing and constitutional savvy, these young petitioners have struck while the iron is legally hot. Kenya’s law allows for the recall of a Women Rep between her second and fifth year in office, and Esther Passaris fits squarely within that window. Their move isn’t just bold; it’s by the book.

Confident and composed, these young petitioners are not flinching. Shakira Wafula (one of the petitioners) is on record, saying, “I’m actually very confident that once we start collecting signatures, it’s possible to get more than 1 million.” Mind you, all they need is 750,000 verified signatures from Nairobi’s 2.5 million voters to kickstart Kenya’s first MP recall.

If they hit the 750,000 mark, the real test will be accomplished. The IEBC will then be required to greenlight a recall election within 90 days, where at least 50% of registered voters will be required to vote "Yes", to legally send the MP home. This will turn these bold petitioners into history-makers.

Whichever way the process goes, a wake-up call has already been dialled, and Passaris is just its pioneer. Kenya is looking at an imminent reality where passive citizenship is a thing of the past, and citizens are actively demanding accountability. It’s a plain realization that the voter is the employer, and the leader is the employee.