Esther Passaris

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Esther Passaris
Personal details
Born
Esther Passaris

(1964-10-20) 20 October 1964 (age 57)
Mombasa, Kenya
Political partyOrange Democratic Movement
(Since 2017)[1]v
Children2
ResidenceNairobi, Kenya[2]
Alma materStrathmore University
(Advanced Management Program)
University of London
(Diploma in Law)
United States International University Africa
(BSc International Business Administration)[3]
Websiteesthermpassaris.com

Esther Muthoni Passaris OGW (born 20 October 1964) is a Kenyan politician, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the Nairobi County women representative in the bicameral Kenyan parliament,[4] and a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Political Party.[1]

In 2013, she ran for member of parliament for women's representative for Nairobi County, on the Kenya National Congress political party ticket, but lost to Rachel Shebesh.[1] She is a female public figure in Kenyan business[5] and politics.[6][7]

Early life[]

Passaris was born in the coastal city of Mombasa to a Greek father and a Kenyan Kikuyu mother. She attended the Aga Khan Academies for her primary and secondary education.[8] She enrolled in the Advanced Management Program course at Strathmore Business School, a program that was conducted in December 2006 between Strathmore University and the University of Navarra. She also has a Diploma in Law from the University of London.[8] In October 2017, Passaris graduated from the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi, with a BSc International Business Administration.[3]

Public and political career[]

Esther Passaris is a public figure in Kenya, who has sparked some controversy by her statements about other Kenyan politicians and businessmen.[9] She has been a runner-up in Miss Kenya contest and is actively campaigning for the rights of women in Kenya.[10]

Through her Adopt a Light organization, Passaris has signed a deal with Nairobi city authorities in order to: "Restore decrepit street lighting in exchange for advertising rights on the lamp posts."[11]

Passaris ran for the women's representative for Nairobi County during the 2013 Kenyan general election,[12] and was also a candidate for the post of Mayor of Nairobi. She is currently the Nairobi Women's Representative.[13]

Esther speaks about the community and human rights. This makes her spend time with the community, doing mentorship programs and speaking engagements in social forums like Fatuma's Voice. She was also CEO and the founder of "One in a Million" campaign which was operating under Driving Kenya Forward, a non-profit charitable organization, aimed at fighting development challenges in Kenya, such as poverty and unemployment, and promoting urban and rural development.[14]

Personal life[]

Passaris has two children with Kenyan businessman Pius Ngugi. In 2003, she filed a lawsuit against Ngugi for a breach of promise to marry, demanding a monthly allowance of KSh 200,000 (US$2,000), and a car to take their children to and from school.[15] In August 2011, Passaris was sued by Ngugi, claiming she continued to demand more money despite agreeing to a truce in their previous case.[9] Passaris' daughter and eldest child, Makenna Ngugi, is a singer.[16]

Awards[]

  • 2016 Most influential women in business and government by CEO Global, South Africa
  • 2009 UN Habitat Business Awards by UN Habitat[17]
  • 2008 Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) by former President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Alex Isoe (2 April 2017). "Esther Passaris Officially Joins ODM". Kenyans.co.ke. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  2. ^ Wasuna, Brian (26 April 2015). "Passaris in legal battle to stop sale of Kitisuru home". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b Kipng'enoh, Wesley (October 2017). "How Esther Passaris achieved her dream of graduating from USIU". Nairobi: SDE.co.ke. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  4. ^ Collins Omulo (5 June 2018). "Passaris asks Sonko to name her as Nairobi deputy governor". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  5. ^ Ilako, Cynthia. "Women politicians feted for their role in business". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Chapter 6: Access to Justice". Gender and Economic Growth in Kenya: Unleashing the Power of Women. World Bank Publications. 2007. ISBN 9780821369203. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  7. ^ Cutura, Jozefina (2006). "Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya" (PDF). Washington DC: International Finance Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b SoftKenya (2012). "Esther Passaris Biography, Career, Husband and Children". Nairobi: Softkenya.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  9. ^ a b Chepkemei, Pamela (6 August 2011). "Passaris' turn in the dock in new property battle with tycoon". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  10. ^ ArtMatters.Info (22 September 2008). "Women in Kenya Demand Respect and Recognition". ArtMatters.Info. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  11. ^ Moody, Barry (2 July 2007). "Feisty woman challenges Kenya's male culture". Reuters.com. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  12. ^ Mayabi, Lordrick (1 February 2013). "Passaris cleared by IEBC for women's rep". Nairobi: 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  13. ^ George Githinji (5 September 2019). "The Role of Women Representatives in Kenya". AfroCave. Nairobi: afrocave.com. Retrieved 5 September 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Okutoyi, Frankline (24 January 2010). "Interview With A Professional". The Standard (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  15. ^ Staff Reporter (28 July 2014). "Woman sues billionaire Ngugi for Sh 9 million upkeep". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  16. ^ Capital Lifestyle (26 October 2012). "Esther Passaris' daughter launches singing career". Nairobi: 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  17. ^ Adopt A Light Limited (April 2009). "Submission For Habitat Business Award For Sustainable Urbanization" (PDF). Nairobi. Retrieved 6 June 2018.

External links[]

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