Esther Passaris: ‘Clothes Are Not a Rep Weighs in on Dressing and Mistreatment Debate
Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Muthoni Passaris has once again drawn attention for her outspoken defence of personal freedoms and condemnation of victim‑blaming attitudes tied to how people dress.
Passaris, a veteran politician and advocate for women’s rights, took aim at dismissive and harmful responses that link victims’ clothing choices to the justification of sexual violence and harassment.
Speaking on Saturday, January 10, she stressed that no one’s attire, age, appearance or political affiliation should ever be used to excuse or diminish responsibility for sexual misconduct. “Not my clothes. Not the way I walk. Not my age. And certainly not my political affiliation,” Passaris said ,adding that victims are never to blame for crimes committed against them.
Her comments come amid growing concern in Kenya over unresolved cases of femicide, rape and sexual assault. The Woman Representative specifically criticised the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for failing to update the public on investigations and urged law enforcement officials to stop offering excuses like being “too busy” and instead deliver justice to survivors.
Passaris also used her platform to challenge the entrenched practice of “clothes‑shaming,” emphasising that personal style or choice of dress is not an invitation to mistreat or harass someone. Her remarks highlight ongoing struggles in Kenyan society over gender‑based violence, online criticism and the broader cultural tendency to judge victims rather than hold perpetrators accountable.
Passaris has frequently courted public debate for her bold positions, whether defending her personal fashion choices against online critics or pushing for accountability in high‑profile social issues, and remains a polarising but influential voice in discussions around gender, dignity and human rights in Kenya.
