Passaris Puts Sakaja on Notice Over Nairobi Leadership
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has issued a warning to Governor Johnson Sakaja, saying she could join the 2027 gubernatorial race if she believes the broad-based political formation risks losing control of the capital to the opposition.
Speaking at a high-level women’s leadership retreat in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 13, Passaris challenged Sakaja to improve his administration’s performance and deliver tangible results for residents.
“I want to put Sakaja on notice. Governor Sakaja, notice. If you do not style up and shape up and we see that we’re going to lose that seat, then Mimi Nitaingia, the race ya governor wa Nairobi,” Passaris said.
Her remarks introduce another potential contender into an increasingly active political contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Passaris, who has served as Nairobi Woman Representative since 2017, did not present a formal campaign declaration in the reported remarks. Instead, she made her entry into the race conditional on her assessment of the political situation and the prospects of the broad-based alliance retaining Nairobi’s top county seat.
Passaris Says Nairobi Needs Results, Not Promises
The legislator also criticised what she described as a gap between promises and actual service delivery in Nairobi.
She argued that residents needed a county government that demonstrates results through action rather than words.
“I am actually saying that Nairobi needs to work, not just in words but in action,” she stated.
Her comments come amid ongoing public debate about service delivery, urban management and the performance of the county administration.
Nairobi faces a range of governance challenges, including waste management, traffic congestion, drainage, infrastructure maintenance and the provision of reliable public services.
Passaris’s warning places these concerns at the centre of the political discussion, although the governor’s record and the effectiveness of his administration remain subjects of wider public and political debate.
The remarks could also increase pressure on Sakaja as he prepares for a possible second term, with several politicians already expressing interest in the seat.
Women’s Representation Becomes Part of the Debate
Passaris also linked Nairobi’s governance challenges to what she described as inadequate representation of women in elected leadership.
During the retreat, she highlighted the limited number of women elected to the Nairobi County Assembly and the National Assembly through the city’s constituencies.
According to figures cited in reports about her remarks, Nairobi had five elected women Members of the County Assembly in 2017, a number that fell to four in the 2022 General Election.
She also pointed to the small number of women elected to represent Nairobi’s 17 constituencies in Parliament, arguing that women remained under-represented in key political decision-making positions.
Passaris maintained that women should have a greater role in shaping the county’s leadership and addressing its challenges.
Her comments added a gender-representation dimension to the discussion about the next Nairobi governor, although the question of who will contest and ultimately win the seat will be determined through the electoral process.
Passaris’ 2027 Political Plans Remain Open
Passaris’s latest remarks come after she had previously discussed other political options ahead of the next general election.
Reports have described shifting signals over whether she would seek another term as Woman Representative or pursue a different elective position.
Her latest statement raises the possibility of a gubernatorial bid, but she has not, in the reported remarks, confirmed a final decision to leave her current seat and campaign for governor.
That distinction is important as political leaders continue to assess party tickets, alliances and their electoral options before the 2027 contest.
If she decides to enter the race, Passaris would bring years of experience in national politics and a profile built through her work as Nairobi Woman Representative.
However, a gubernatorial campaign would require her to seek support across the county rather than within the electorate for a single parliamentary seat.
Sakaja Faces Growing Competition Ahead of 2027
Sakaja is expected to face a competitive contest if he seeks re-election in 2027.
Among the politicians who have expressed interest in the Nairobi governor’s seat is Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Other potential contenders include Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, according to recent reporting on the emerging race.
The political landscape is also being shaped by discussions about party affiliations and possible alliances.
Sakaja has previously confirmed that he has been approached by leaders and members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) about joining the party, although he said he was still considering his options.
Party nominations, coalition arrangements and campaign organisation are likely to influence how the contest develops as the election approaches.
Passaris’s potential entry could further expand the field, but her remarks alone do not establish that she will be a candidate.
Nairobi Residents Will Be Watching the 2027 Race
The emerging contest is likely to place renewed attention on the performance of the current county administration and the proposals put forward by those seeking to replace it.
For Sakaja, Passaris’s warning is another public challenge to demonstrate results and make his case for another term.
For Passaris, the next step would be to clarify whether she intends to turn her warning into a formal gubernatorial campaign.
Ultimately, Nairobi voters will have the opportunity to assess the candidates, their records and their plans for the county when the election takes place.
For now, Passaris has made her position clear: she wants Sakaja to improve his administration’s performance and is leaving open the possibility of entering the race if she believes Nairobi’s leadership is at risk of being lost by the broad-based political formation.
