Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Esther Muthoni Passaris OGW (born 20 October 1964) is a Kenyan social entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician. She is the Nairobi County women representative and a member of the Kenya National Congress, she has run for member of parliament for Embakasi Constituency as well as for women's representative for Nairobi County. She is regarded as one of the most well-known female public figures in Kenyan business and politics.
Early life
Passaris was born in the coastal city of Mombasa to a Greek father and a Kenyan Kikuyu mother. 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.
Public and political career
Esther Passaris is a known public figure in Kenya, who has sparked some controversy by her statements about other Kenyan politicians and businessmen. She has been a runner-up in Miss Kenya contest and is actively campaigning for the rights of woman in Kenya. 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 lamposts." Passaris ran for the women's representative for Nairobi County during the 2013 general election, and was also a candidate for the post of Mayor of Nairobi. She is currently a member of Kenya National Congress, a Kenyan political party. Kenya will have their fifth election in August 2017 in which she is running for the Nairobi Women Representative.
She was also the CEO and founder of 'One in a Million' campaign which was operating under Driving Kenya Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization, aimed at fighting problems in Kenya, such as poverty and unemployment, and promoting urban and rural development.
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 Ksh. 200,000 and a car to take their children to and from school. In August 2011, Passaris was sued by Ngugi, claiming she continued to demand more money despite agreeing to a truce in their previous case.
Passaris' daughter and eldest child, Makenna Ngugi, is a singer.
Awards
- 2016 Most influential women in business and government by CEO Global, South Africa
- 2009 UN Habitat Business Awards by UN Habitat
- 2008 Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) by former President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki