Esther Passaris Champions Dignity and Inclusion in Walk for One Million Steps

Nairobi Woman Representative Hon Esther Passaris has once again demonstrated her strong commitment to social inclusion and the dignity of every Kenyan by joining the Walk for One Million Steps for Dignity and Inclusion at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

Passaris participated in the walk alongside Hon Dr Isaac Mwaura, CBS, Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President, in support of a campaign seeking to raise one million bales of diapers for Kenyans living with incontinence.

For Passaris, the event was much more than a physical walk. It was an opportunity to stand with thousands of Kenyans whose daily experiences and challenges can often remain invisible, and to use her public platform to amplify the call for dignity, compassion and inclusion.

“Every step today was a reminder that dignity is not a privilege; it is a right,” Passaris said, capturing the powerful message behind the campaign.

Her participation brought visibility to an important social issue that directly affects individuals, families and caregivers across the country. For people living with incontinence, access to diapers is not simply a matter of convenience. It can have a profound bearing on personal hygiene, health, mobility, confidence and participation in everyday life.

The financial burden can also be significant, particularly for families supporting loved ones who require diapers on a regular basis. By joining the campaign, Passaris helped draw attention to these realities while reinforcing the need for collective action.

Her presence at Ulinzi Sports Complex was therefore a strong demonstration of leadership rooted in empathy. Rather than treating inclusion as an abstract principle, Passaris used the occasion to show solidarity with people whose needs deserve to be recognised and addressed.

The Nairobi Woman Representative has become a visible voice on issues affecting vulnerable members of society, and her participation in the walk reinforced the importance of placing human dignity at the heart of public service.

Passaris also emphasised that creating an inclusive society is a responsibility shared by everyone.

“Building an inclusive society requires all of us to play our part in ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind,” she said.

The message is particularly relevant to persons with disabilities and people living with conditions that can limit their participation in ordinary social activities. Inclusion requires more than words. It calls for practical support, accessible environments, awareness and a willingness by society to listen to and respond to the needs of affected communities.

By physically joining the walk, Passaris offered a visible expression of that solidarity.

Her participation alongside Dr Mwaura further highlighted the importance of bringing together elected leaders, government institutions, disability-rights advocates, families and communities around issues that affect the wellbeing and dignity of Kenyans.

The Walk for One Million Steps also provided an important platform for breaking the silence around incontinence. Because the condition can be deeply personal and sensitive, many affected individuals and families may struggle to speak openly about the challenges they face.

Public campaigns such as this can help create greater awareness and encourage society to approach the issue with understanding rather than stigma.

Passaris’s involvement consequently carried a message extending beyond the event itself. It affirmed that people living with disabilities and incontinence should not be forgotten or pushed to the margins of society.

Every step taken during the walk represented a call for greater compassion, accessibility and practical support. It also reinforced the simple principle that every Kenyan deserves to live with dignity and participate fully in society.

For Passaris, leadership on such occasions is about standing with people, listening to their experiences and helping bring their concerns into the public spotlight.

As the Walk for One Million Steps continues to champion dignity and inclusion, her participation has added an important public voice to a cause centred on humanity, equality and compassion.

The message from the walk is clear: dignity belongs to everyone. And by taking part, Passaris has helped remind the country that building an inclusive Kenya is a collective responsibility—one that begins with recognising that no Kenyan should ever be left behind.