Esther Passaris
 | |
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Esther Muthoni Passaris |
| Born | 20 October 1964 (age Template:Age) Mombasa, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | Greek, Kikuyu, Dutch |
| Occupation | Politician Social Entrepreneur Philanthropist |
| Political party | Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) |
| Office | Nairobi County Woman Representative |
| Term | 2017–present |
| Preceded by | Rachel Shebesh |
| Children | 2 (Makenna and Lefteris Ngugi) |
| Alma mater | Aga Khan Academies Strathmore Business School University of London United States International University Africa |
| Website | esthermpassaris.com |
Esther Muthoni Passaris OGW (born 20 October 1964) is a Kenyan politician, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She currently serves as the Nairobi County Woman Representative in the Kenyan Parliament and is affiliated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) political party.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Passaris was born in Mombasa, Kenya, to a multicultural family: her father, Elefterious Passaris, was of Greek descent and served in the Merchant Navy, while her mother, Mary Wanjiku Joubert, was of Kikuyu and Dutch heritage. This unique upbringing exposed her to a variety of cultural norms and ideas.
She attended the Aga Khan Academies for her early education. Later in life, she pursued higher education and leadership training, enrolling in the Advanced Management Program at Strathmore Business School in collaboration with Spain’s University of Navarra. She also obtained a Diploma in Law from the University of London. In October 2017, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration from the United States International University Africa (USIU-A).
Career and Public Life[edit | edit source]
Before entering politics, Passaris enjoyed a long and impactful career in marketing, public relations, and entrepreneurship. She has over 20 years of corporate and non-profit experience.
In 2002, she founded Adopt-A-Light, a public-private partnership aimed at improving street lighting in Nairobi. Through collaboration with city authorities, her company restored urban lighting infrastructure in exchange for advertising rights on lamp posts. This initiative played a major role in enhancing security and supporting night-time economic activity in the city.
She later launched the One in a Million campaign, under the Driving Kenya Forward initiative — a non-profit platform addressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and urban-rural development. Her early advocacy laid the foundation for her later political aspirations.
In 2013, she contested for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat but was unsuccessful. However, in 2017, she successfully ran on an ODM ticket and was elected to Parliament. She was re-elected in 2022, dedicating her second-term win to her late father.
As a Member of Parliament, Passaris has championed causes including:
- Gender equality and the rights of women and girls
- Access to quality and affordable healthcare
- Improvements in education and school infrastructure
- Support for youth empowerment and innovation hubs
- Advocacy for better maternal health services
- Safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities and marginalized communities
She is vocal in her efforts to make legislation more inclusive and developmental.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Esther Passaris has two children with Kenyan businessman and industrialist Pius Ngugi. In 2003, she filed a lawsuit against Ngugi for breach of promise to marry and sought a monthly allowance and a vehicle for their children's transportation. The case attracted public attention due to its legal and societal implications. In 2011, Ngugi filed a counter-suit claiming she continued to demand money despite an existing agreement.
Their daughter, Makenna Ngugi, has since pursued a successful career in music and modeling.
In April 2022, Passaris held a private celebration to mark what would have been her father's 80th birthday, complete with a cake-cutting ceremony and prayers. She frequently shares moments from her family life on her social media, reflecting a strong bond with her children and late father.
Advocacy and Public Image[edit | edit source]
Passaris is well known for her stance on women’s rights, reproductive health, and transparent governance. She often participates in forums discussing the role of women in leadership and the need for gender-sensitive policies.
She has also spoken publicly about the challenges women in public office face, including gender-based discrimination, cyberbullying, and balancing family life with political duties.
Her engagement on platforms like Twitter and Facebook has made her one of the most followed female politicians in Kenya. She regularly updates constituents on development projects, legal reforms, and community events.
Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]
Passaris has been recognized both locally and internationally for her work in entrepreneurship, governance, and advocacy. Some of her major accolades include:
- Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) – awarded by former President Mwai Kibaki in 2008 for her role in business innovation and public service.
- UN-Habitat Business Award – presented in 2009 for her work in urban improvement through Adopt-A-Light.
- Named among "Most Influential Women in Business and Government" by CEO Global, South Africa (2016).