Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has made a formal comeback to national politics after officially registering his new political party, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sonko received the certificate of full registration from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties on Tuesday, cementing NEDP’s entry into Kenya’s political arena. He described the party as a vehicle for economic renewal and a force he believes will shape the country’s governance in the years ahead.
According to Sonko, NEDP aims to champion economic transformation, development, and improved livelihoods. He called on Kenyans from all demographics and political backgrounds to join what he termed a platform for national renewal, saying the movement is open to everyone—from Gen Z to senior citizens.
Even as he launched his new political outfit, Sonko reignited his long-standing dispute with Chief Justice Martha Koome. He accused the Chief Justice of bias in handling his impeachment appeal and questioned the Judicial Service Commission’s extended delay in determining his 2022 petition seeking her removal.
Sonko claimed CJ Koome made prejudicial comments about his impeachment before the Supreme Court heard his case, a move he says undermined judicial fairness. He argued that leaders should only be excluded from contesting office after fully exhausting all appeal avenues.
He further pointed to a recent ruling by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), which faulted the Supreme Court for procedural irregularities in his impeachment appeal.
The regional court found that Sonko was denied adequate time to file submissions, a decision that barred him from contesting the 2022 Mombasa governor race. While the EACJ did not reverse his impeachment, it concluded that the process violated principles of fairness and caused “irreparable harm” to his political career.
Sonko said the ruling has emboldened him to pursue further legal action, insisting his rights were violated and that he intends to seek a review based on the EACJ’s findings.
His move to establish a political party mirrors a broader trend among Kenyan leaders seeking to negotiate power.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also formed his own outfit, joining a growing list of politicians turning to party ownership as a strategic pathway back to influence.
Since the 2022 elections, several parties that previously backed the Azimio la Umoja coalition shifted allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza government, receiving government appointments in return.
And it seems this is the angle most new parties are playing.
With Kenya placing no cap on the number of political parties that can be established, the 2027 General Election is expected to feature an unprecedented proliferation of political outfits, as aspirants position themselves for bargaining power and political survival.
