Esther Passaris dedicates win to late father: “I’ll do everything you taught me”

After receiving 698,929 votes, Nairobi woman representative Esther Passaris of the ODM Party was re-elected to her office.

With 586,246 votes, her primary opponent, senator Millicent Omanga of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), came in second.

Passaris hailed his family and the Nairobi community for their support after Nairobi County Returning Officer Albert Gogo proclaimed her the winner on Sunday, August 14.

Passaris gave credit for the victory to her late father, who she claimed loved the nation and promised to serve it honorably.

“I want to dedicate this win to my father, who passed away in January since he is not here to see me win this. Because he loved this country so much, I want to say, daddy, as I dedicate this win to you, I will do everything that you taught me to serve with integrity and compassion,” Passaris said.

She also asked supporters of Azimio to remain composed as they awaited the official presidential outcome from the IEBC.

“I want to thank everyone in my Azimio team and all the voters in Nairobi. We will work tirelessly to serve all of you. When we get into office, we will only care on delivering the promises we made, and we are guided by the manifesto of the Azimio family,” she said.

Adding:

“We are grateful to all of you for maintaining the peace during the election period and we pray that the same peace will be maintained even after the president is announced.” 

Esther Passaris (ODM) declared winner in the Nairobi Woman Representative race as she garnered 698, 929 #KenyaDecides2022 #KenyasChoice2022 #KenyaElections2022 pic.twitter.com/d0tmnK5wmr

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 14, 2022

Omanga, a close opponent of Passari’s, admitted defeat and gave her praise for the victory.

“I want to thank the people of Nairobi who voted for me & those who didn’t. I accept the results even though they’re not in my favour. @EstherPassaris has won. She deserves our support and prayers as she steers the office of Woman Rep for the next five years. May God bless our country,” she said.

Passaris’s first attempt in elective politics was in 2008, following the death of Embakasi MP Mugabe Were.

However, she lost the by-election to former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu.