A group of Nairobi residents has officially filed a petition with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) seeking the recall of Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther Muthoni Passaris.
The petition, submitted on Monday, July 28, was spearheaded by activist Shakira Wafula, and acknowledged by the IEBC on the same day.
The petition, filed under Article 104 of the Constitution and Section 45 of the Elections Act, accuses the Nairobi Woman Representative of violating the Constitution, abusing office, neglecting duty, and breaching public trust.
The petitioners argue that Hon. Passaris has failed to uphold the principles of integrity, impartiality, and accountability in the execution of her mandate.
“Hon. Passaris has demonstrated conduct unbecoming of a State Officer, undermined constitutional principles, disrespected the electorate, and failed to perform her representative and oversight functions,” the petition reads in part.
The development marks a significant moment for civic engagement in Kenya, as voters take advantage of recent reforms at the IEBC to hold elected leaders accountable.
The filing of the petition has already stirred public conversation online, with netizens rallying Nairobi voters to submit their signatures in support of the recall.
In line with the law, the recall process now enters its second stage: collection of signatures from at least one-third of registered voters in Nairobi County, drawn from across different wards.
Once signatures are collected, the IEBC has 30 days to verify them before issuing a formal notice to the Speaker of the National Assembly.
If the process meets legal thresholds, the IEBC must conduct a recall election within 90 days, asking voters a simple question: “Do you wish to recall your MP?” A majority vote in the affirmative triggers a by-election.
Importantly, a recalled MP is not barred from contesting again in the by-election.
This petition is one of several filed since the IEBC’s recent reconstitution, as citizens seize renewed opportunities to demand performance and transparency from their elected representatives.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mombasa on July 18, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed the Commission had already received at least four recall petitions, though he did not disclose names.
“We will evaluate each petition carefully based on its merit and the seriousness of the issues raised,” Ethekon said.
Another active recall petition was filed by residents of North Imenti against their long-serving MP, Rahim Dawood, citing similar grievances around performance and representation.
These petitions follow a wave of national dialogue sparked by the June 2024 protests, where Kenyans widely criticized underperforming lawmakers and pushed for greater civic oversight. The reconstitution of the IEBC has further strengthened public trust in electoral processes, giving momentum to calls for action against non-performing leaders.
While Hon. Passaris has yet to issue a formal statement on the petition, political analysts view the unfolding situation as a defining test for Kenya’s recall laws, which have rarely been fully implemented since their introduction in the 2010 Constitution.
As the process unfolds, all eyes will remain on the IEBC and the petitioners, who now face the critical task of mobilizing enough voter support to move the petition forward.
Regardless of the final outcome, the move underscores a powerful message: Kenyans are increasingly aware of their democratic tools and ready to use them.
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