Passaris fires back after Ciru Muriuki accuses her of fake support for protestors
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has fired back at former radio presenter and public figure Ciru Muriuki, who blasted her for speaking out against police brutality following the shooting of a mask vendor in the Nairobi Central Business District.
The clash erupted after Passaris made a lengthy social media post on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, condemning the police shooting, which she termed as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
The vendor was shot during protests that were held in the Central Business District [CBD] in honour of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.
“What we are witnessing is not just isolated brutality; it is the result of systemic failure: poor recruitment standards, inadequate training, mental burnout, and a culture of impunity,” Passaris wrote.
She added that there was an urgent need for reform in the police service, calling for psychosocial support, body cameras, and an overhaul of training and recruitment standards.
“I mourn with the family of the vendor, just as I mourn for Albert Ojwang and so many others. But mourning is not enough. Prayers are not enough. It is time to act,” she stated.
However, her post attracted harsh criticism from Ciru Muriuki, who dismissed Passaris’ stance, accusing her of feigning solidarity with citizens.
“Girl, shut up. You are not with us. Leave us alone,” Muriuki posted in response, sparking a wave of debate online.
In a strongly worded rebuttal on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Passaris said the attempt to silence her was not only unfair but also a betrayal of the very values women often claim to champion.
“When women silence other women with ‘girl shut up’ and ‘you are not with us, leave us alone,’ we betray the very sisterhood we claim to stand for,” she said.
She reaffirmed her constitutional mandate as a twice-elected steward of the people, reminding Ciru that her leadership was not a fluke but a choice made at the ballot twice over.
She noted that she understands, perhaps more than most, the unpredictable winds of public opinion and acknowledged that a true leader does not sail only with the wind of praise but must also navigate through storms of dissent.
“I was duly elected twice to serve all the people of Nairobi, including those who disagree with me.”
While acknowledging that she does not always agree with every voice online, she maintained that she would never attempt to silence a fellow woman advocating for justice.
“I may not always agree with every voice online, but I will never tell another woman to be quiet, especially when she is speaking up for justice,” she said.
Passaris further maintained that she would remain anchored in her duty, emphasising that she knows her lane and intends to stay in it.
“I was chosen to lead, and lead I will.”
In a parting shot that underscored her call for unity, Passaris affirmed that true progress comes from lifting others—regardless of differences—not from tearing them down, as many seemed to believe.
“We rise by lifting others. Not by tearing them down.”
