Online Feud Erupts Between Esther Passaris and Ciru Muriuki Amid National Unrest

A high-profile war of words has broken out on X (formerly Twitter) between Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and media personality Ciru Muriuki, dominating online conversation over the past 48 hours.

The public spat, which began on June 16, 2025, has spiraled into a clash over political responsibility, digital activism, and personal branding—exposing simmering tensions between Kenya’s political establishment and outspoken online influencers.

The Spark

The drama began when Passaris, a prominent ODM legislator and women’s rights advocate, posted a cryptic but scathing tweet accusing unnamed media figures of seeking attention rather than addressing the country’s escalating crises.

“Some are busy trending for likes while Kenya bleeds—step up or step aside,” Passaris wrote.

Many interpreted the comment as a veiled swipe at Muriuki, who has gained a strong following for her outspoken views on governance and social justice, especially amid public outrage over the recent police shooting of Boniface Kariuki.

The Clapback

Muriuki wasted no time firing back the following day:

“@EstherPassaris, maybe focus on delivering for Nairobi instead of policing my lane. Your silence on real issues is louder than my ‘clout.’ #DoYourJob.”

The tweet, which quickly racked up over 10,000 likes, struck a nerve, with many users praising Muriuki for calling out what they viewed as performative leadership.

Escalation

Passaris responded with a more direct attack, accusing Muriuki of hypocrisy:

“@CiruMuriuki, your sanctimony won’t erase your history of gimmicks. I serve my people—you serve yourself.”

She also alluded to past controversies involving Muriuki, including a well-known 2022 online spat over her X handle with fellow personality Ciku Muiruri.

Muriuki’s response was equally sharp:

“@EstherPassaris, my ‘gimmicks’ have more impact than your empty promises. Check the polls, not my bio.”

She attached a screenshot of a recent opinion poll showing declining approval ratings for the Nairobi legislator.

Divided Support

The exchange has polarized Kenyans online. ODM loyalists stood by Passaris, with one user posting:

“Esther has done more for Nairobi than any influencer ever will. #RespectLeadership.”

In contrast, Gen Z and digital-first activists rallied around Muriuki. A tweet from @GenZKibera declared:

“Ciru speaks for the youth. Passaris is just pressed. #TeamCiru.”

The hashtag #TeamCiru trended briefly, signaling Muriuki’s growing influence among younger voters.

Old Wounds Resurface

The feud has also reignited speculation about a long-standing grudge. In her latest tweet, Muriuki claimed:

“This isn’t about clout—it’s about her ego. She’s been holding a grudge since I refused to bow to media gatekeeping.”

Passaris hit back with a pointed jab:

“Your ego built a brand on borrowed names. Real impact doesn’t need theatrics.”

Public Reaction

While some are reveling in the online drama, others are urging both women to shift focus back to pressing national matters.

@ShiroKE tweeted:

“Both Passaris and Muriuki should be directing their energy toward demanding justice for Boniface Kariuki. This isn’t the time for ego battles.”

@KamauInsights added:

“This spat reflects a wider divide—leaders who dodge accountability vs. influencers forced to fill the void. Kenya deserves better from both.”

What’s Next?

As of June 18, 2025, 11:21 AM EAT, the feud shows no sign of cooling off. Passaris has hinted at an upcoming press conference to “clear the air”, while Muriuki teased a live Instagram session later today to “set the record straight.”

With public attention fixed on both the conflict and the larger national crisis, the question remains: Will either woman rise above the fray—or will the feud continue to distract from Kenya’s call for justice