Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has formally unveiled his new political outfit, the National Economic Development Party of Kenya, marking what he describes as the beginning of a new chapter in his political journey.
Speaking to the media after collecting the party’s official registration documents, Sonko expressed relief and gratitude, saying the milestone had been years in the making.
“Today, we are very glad. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has issued us with the full registration of our party,” he said. “We started this journey in 2019 and lodged the documents in 2020. It has not been an easy journey.”
Surrounded by founder members, Sonko introduced the party’s interim leadership, featuring familiar faces from his previous administration.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko speaks after receiving formal approval for his new political outfit, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), which now provides him with an independent platform to revive his political career ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The party chairman, Dr John Nyamu, is a well-known gynaecologist and former director at Pumwani Hospital during Sonko’s tenure as Nairobi Governor.
Secretary-General Ben Mulwa previously served as Sonko’s personal assistant.
The party also includes Gen-Z representation, among them KEMU President Madam Masai, who will serve as Deputy Party Leader.
Sonko will, at the moment, hold the position of interim Party Leader.
He insisted that the new outfit will distinguish itself by prioritising democratic processes and people-centred leadership.
“This party… we’re going to first bring leadership back to the grassroots. We’re going to involve everybody — every Kenyan,” he said. “We have engaged a team of professionals and technocrats. People should expect a big change from our party, unlike parties that come with empty promises,” emphasising that leadership positions will be open to contest, rejecting the notion of a one-man party.
On the party’s long-term political strategy, Sonko said the organisation is open-minded.
“We could have coalition agreements, or we can go to the ballot. We can even have a presidential candidate — it doesn’t have to be me. Anybody with ambitions who comes to our party and is elected through a democratic process, we will sponsor all the way to the ballot,” he said.
Addressing renewed debate over his impeachment, the former governor maintained the process was flawed but said he is actively seeking legal redress.
“You all know I lost all my appeals, High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and I’m admitting that I lost. But guys are talking for the sake of talking,” he said.
Sonko claimed he has “very good fresh grounds for review” and argued the Supreme Court “ambushed” his legal team after he had already been cleared to run for Mombasa Governor.
“They did not give us directions to bring our evidence. They just ambushed us,” he said, adding that the East African Court of Justice had already faulted that process.
He further alleged that his impeachment motion at the county assembly was based on “lies and deceit”, insisting the Constitution empowers him to continue pursuing justice.
Sonko's political background
Mike Sonko rose to national political prominence in 2010 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Makadara Constituency in a by-election.
Leveraging a populist image, he quickly became a political force.
In the 2013 general election, he contested and won the newly created seat, becoming the first Senator of Nairobi City County with an overwhelming vote, demonstrating broad cross-ethnic appeal.
In 2017, Sonko achieved the highest political office of his career by defeating the incumbent to become the second Governor of Nairobi City County under the Jubilee Party ticket.
His tenure was marked by an unconventional leadership style and was quickly embroiled in controversies.
He was eventually charged with various corruption offences, and a court order barred him from accessing his office in late 2019.
Sonko’s time as governor was cut short when he was impeached by the Nairobi County Assembly and the Senate on December 17, 2020, on grounds including abuse of office and gross misconduct.
Since his removal, he has continued to pursue political influence and philanthropy, including attempts at electoral comebacks in other counties, though his path has been hampered by judicial rulings on his eligibility following his impeachment.