A bitter public feud has erupted between Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and media personality Ciru Muriuki, unfolding in real-time on X over the past 48 hours.
The clash, sparked by a heated exchange on June 16, 2025, has drawn significant attention, with both women trading sharp jabs that reveal underlying tensions over identity, influence, and political accountability.
The conflict ignited when Passaris, a prominent ODM politician known for her advocacy on women’s issues, posted a tweet criticizing media personalities for “clout-chasing” instead of addressing national crises.
“Some are busy trending for likes while Kenya bleeds—step up or step aside,” she wrote, a comment widely interpreted as a dig at Muriuki.
The remark came amid ongoing protests following the recent shooting of Boniface Kariuki, adding fuel to an already charged atmosphere.
Muriuki, never one to back down, responded swiftly on June 17, 2025, with a pointed tweet: “@EstherPassaris, maybe focus on delivering for Nairobi instead of policing my lane. Your silence on real issues is louder than my ‘clout.’ #DoYourJob.”
The retort, which garnered over 10,000 likes, struck at Passaris’s legislative record, a sore spot for critics who accuse her of ineffective representation despite her high-profile status.
The exchange escalated as Passaris fired back, accusing Muriuki of exploiting her platform for personal gain.
“@CiruMuriuki, your sanctimony won’t erase your history of gimmicks. I serve my people—you serve yourself,” she tweeted, referencing Muriuki’s past social media controversies, including a 2022 spat over her Twitter handle with another personality, Ciku Muiruri.
Muriuki countered with, “@EstherPassaris, my ‘gimmicks’ have more impact than your empty promises. Check the polls, not my bio,” attaching a screenshot of a recent survey showing declining approval for Passaris.
Supporters have divided along party and personal lines. Passaris’s ODM base defended her, with @ODM_Kenya tweeting, “Esther fights for us—leave her to lead!”
Meanwhile, Muriuki’s followers, including young influencers, rallied behind her, with @GenZKibera posting, “Ciru speaks truth to power—Passaris can’t handle it! #TeamCiru.” The hashtag #TeamCiru trended briefly, reflecting Muriuki’s growing appeal among Gen Z activists.
The beef traces back to a 2019 identity debate when Muriuki refused to change her Twitter handle (@CiruMuriuki) despite Muiruri’s objections, a move Passaris reportedly criticized privately at the time.
This resurfaced in the current spat, with Muriuki alleging Passaris holds a personal grudge. “This isn’t about clout—it’s about her ego,” Muriuki wrote, while Passaris retorted, “Your ego built a brand on borrowed names.”
The feud has sparked broader discussions on X about the role of public figures in Kenya’s turbulent political climate. @KamauInsights noted, “Passaris vs. Muriuki shows how divided we are—leaders vs. influencers, all distracted from justice.”
Others, like @ShiroKE, called for unity, tweeting, “Both should focus on Boniface Kariuki’s killers, not each other. #JusticeForBonifaceKariuki.”
As of 11:21 AM EAT on June 18, 2025, the exchange continues, with no resolution in sight. Passaris has hinted at a press conference to address “misinformation,” while Muriuki teased a live Instagram session to “set the record straight.”
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