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In a statement Wednesday, Passaris, who last month toyed with the idea of joining the race for what promises to be a hotly contested seat in the upcoming 2027 elections, took aim at incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja over his recent switch from UDA to ODM.

According to Passaris, it is President William Ruto who has been running Nairobi as a result of Sakaja’s poor leadership.

“Nairobi just got more interesting. Governor Sakaja’s entry into ODM does not guarantee him the Nairobi Governor’s seat in 2027. That decision belongs to Nairobians. For too long, H.E President William Ruto has been Nairobi’s de facto Governor, stepping in where county leadership should have delivered,” she wrote.

Passaris quipped that Nairobi needs a no-nonsense governor who gets things done. As such, she threw her weight behind CS Ruku, citing his track record in the Public Service docket.

“Nairobi needs a hands-on, decisive, no-nonsense administrator. Someone who shows up, takes charge and gets things done. I’ve watched CS Geoffrey Ruku handle Special Programmes and disaster response. His energy, decisiveness, and hands-on leadership are exactly the qualities Nairobi needs,” she added.

The woman rep expressed her love for Nairobi, recounting her earlier ambitions for Nairobi mayor.

“In 2007, I wanted to be Mayor of Nairobi. That dream never materialized, but my love for this city and its people has never diminished. Today, I simply want Nairobi to have the best Governor possible. CS Geoffrey Ruku, if elections were held today, you would have my vote! August 10, 2027 is still ahead of us. No candidate owns Nairobi. Every vote must be earned, every promise must count, and every leader must be accountable.”

She concluded, “A well-governed Nairobi would be a tremendous asset to President Ruto and to every Kenyan who calls this city home. Let the best candidate win. Nairobi deserves nothing less!”

Passaris’s endorsement of Ruku came shortly after the minister said he was ready to seek Nairobi’s governorship and improve service delivery in the capital.

CS Ruku said Nairobi needed a leader with integrity, vision, and strong leadership skills to address the city’s challenges and realize its potential.

“Nairobi is for all Kenyans, is the capital city of our country, and must be led as such. This is the hub of East Africa and the greater East and Central Business Hub,” Ruku said in South B, Nairobi.

He added that whoever takes the governor’s office should demonstrate honesty, hard work, vision, and integrity to steer the county towards development.

Ruku also cited his experience in elective politics and said he was capable of leading Nairobi.

“You people know very well that I was previously an elected leader. Is there any problem if I vie and get elected here in Nairobi? Am I not able to lead this county?” he asked.

Before joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet, Ruku served as Mbeere North MP. He was elected in 2022 on a Democratic Party of Kenya ticket.

Ruto nominated Ruku to the Cabinet in March 2025. Parliament approved his appointment, and he took over the Public Service docket from former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader had spent nearly two months in the US, where he met Kenyans living abroad and discussed issues including the Opposition’s preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 20 but avoided publicity. Instead of arranging the high-profile welcome that greeted him on previous visits, he made an unannounced journey to his rural home.

His return contrasted with his 2025 homecoming, when large crowds of supporters gathered at the airport. In an interview with a vernacular television station, Gachagua said he feared that publicizing his arrival would expose him to people he accused of plotting against him.

“I returned silently. I made sure there were no photos and I got into a Probox car and headed directly to Wamunyoro,” said Gachagua.

He said he did not spend the night at his Karen residence in Nairobi. Instead, he travelled to Nyeri shortly after landing.

“I did not sleep here [Karen home]. I arrived around 9 pm; by 12 a.m., I was at my home [Wamunyoro],” said Gachagua.

Gachagua claimed that his usual convoy would have made it easier for security agencies and his alleged political opponents to track him.

“They [security agencies] would have noted my usual convoy. These are not good people…they can plan evil deeds against me.”

He recalled that publicity around his 2025 return had allegedly exposed him to threats.

“Last time [2025], I had publicized my return, and my followers turned up in large numbers at the airport. There were plans to harm me. Many goons were sent. It is God who saved my life.”

Gachagua said the experience persuaded him not to repeat what he called a security mistake.

“I told myself, ‘You can’t repeat the same mistake’. As my detractors are not happy with my decision to stand with our people and the country and speak the truth, I saw it wise to return silently.”

He also said he kept his travel plans secret from everyone, including his drivers and security personnel, because he feared details of his arrival might leak.

“I informed no one, not even my drivers and security guards. I told no one, as people would have publicized it, yet they [my detractors] are not good people. They have been hatching evil plans against me.”

Gachagua also referred to the attack at Witima Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Othaya, Nyeri, where armed individuals entered the church during a service he was attending with his allies. He cited the incident as an example of the threats he faces and said it had led him to take greater care over his movements.

He said he would continue to keep his whereabouts and travel plans private while pursuing his political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.