Reason Esther Passaris’s Kikuyu Husband Failed to Help her Learn the Language

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has shared a candid revelation about her struggles with languages, citing a personal challenge with dyslexia and a failed expectation that her husband's background would help her master a new tongue.

The politician, in a series of tweets, opened up about her relationship with language, describing it as a weakness she has learned to accept and even embrace.

A Personal Struggle

Passaris revealed that she doesn't speak Kikuyu, despite a past hope that marrying a Kikuyu husband would help her learn the language. This expectation was not met.

She also mentioned failing Kiswahili and barely making it through "the King's English".

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“Idon’t speak Kikuyu. Thought a Kikuyu husband would enable the language; it didn’t. A girl is allowed to dream. Being dyslexic, language isn’t my forte. I barely make it through the King's English; I failed Kiswahili; picked a few Italian phrases whilst in Italy; a few Greeks swear,” she revealed in one tweet where a user challenged her to voice-record herself speaking in Kikuyu.

Embracing Imperfection

Passaris has chosen to view her struggles not as a flaw, but as a part of her identity. She has spoken about the importance of owning one's imperfections and finding strength in them.

She believes that one does not need to get an "A" to excel in life.

“One can fail a subject; and still excel in life. You do not need to have an A to excel. We all have different talents and the sky is not the limit. I am perfectly imperfect,” she said.

“I own my story. I’m in love with the whole of me; the good; the bad; the ugly notwithstanding. Why? Because everyone can love me for my good points,” the MP added frankly.

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In a surprising revelation, Passaris also revealed that she learnt the Swahili she speaks through her campaign trail.

“I learnt the Swahili I speak on my political trail. My take on life: It’s those who love me irrespective of my bad points that truly love me. Love starts within, not without.”

Instead of focusing on what she lacks, she focuses on her strengths. She considers her forte to be "the language of authenticity and humanity". She preaches love, stating that it's a language anyone can relate to.