Sonko vows to make political comeback as he registers own party
Former Nairobi Governor Mike sonko addressing the press in Nairobi on Tuesday December 09, 2025.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has signalled a political comeback after receiving full registration for his new outfit, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), saying he will return to court to challenge the impeachment that removed him from office in 2020.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Tuesday after receiving the party’s certificate, Sonko said the new political vehicle will prioritise youthful leadership and offer Kenyans an alternative platform ahead of future elections.
Although the law currently bars impeached persons from contesting for public office, Sonko insisted he remains eligible to run, arguing that the Constitution only disqualifies a candidate once all avenues of appeal or review have been fully exhausted. He also said that he intends to seek a review of the Supreme Court decision that upheld his removal from office.
“Yes, I have exhausted all my appeals up to the Supreme Court, but I have a very good case that is coming up for review in light of new evidence that is in my possession,” Sonko said. “In just 24 hours, the Supreme Court buried my political career, but it’s not yet over. Article 193 of the Constitution provides that you can only be locked out if you have exhausted all the appeals or reviews available. I am returning to court on a review basis and will thus be eligible to contest for any seat based on the pending review.”
Sonko was impeached by Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in December 2020 over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. His attempt to overturn the decision failed at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court. However, he later secured a favourable judgement at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), which ruled that his impeachment had violated due process.
Citing the EACJ decision, Sonko said he now possesses fresh evidence from some of the MCAs who voted for his ouster. According to him, the affidavits indicate that the ward representatives were allegedly coerced by powerful forces in government to support the impeachment motion.
“I have affidavits from some of the leaders disowning the impeachment; this is the new evidence I intend to file in court as I seek a review of the decision,” he said, adding that the EACJ ruling further strengthened his position.
Sonko said his new party will champion economic empowerment and social justice while investing heavily in youth leadership development. He appealed to young Kenyans to join what he described as a movement that is a break from the past, adding that the NEDP intends to field candidates across the country.
“This is not about Sonko but ordinary Kenyans. We will be holding a recruitment drive and hereby invite all Kenyans to this movement,” he stated. He said the party will be formally launched at a later date.
NEDP’s newly unveiled leadership structure largely features young figures from student and youth formations. Sonko will serve as the party leader, with former SONU chairperson Anthony Manyara and KEMU University student leader Naomi Chebet Masai as his deputies. John Nyamu will serve as chairman, while Sonko’s former personal assistant Ben Mulwa will hold the role of Secretary General.
Other officials include Eric Njoroge as Deputy Secretary General, Francis Wambua as Treasurer, Laura Mwende as Deputy Treasurer, Peterson Maina as National Organising Secretary and Joseph Kiangoi as Deputy Organising Secretary.
Masai said the party seeks to redefine youth participation in national governance, arguing that young people have for years been confined to the periphery of political processes.
“As youths, we will no longer sit on the dining table or but we will be the ones to prepare the menu,” she remarked, emphasising the party’s commitment to mainstreaming youth voices rather than using them only as a voting bloc.
Sonko, who previously served as Makadara MP, Nairobi Senator and later Governor, said the NEDP aims to restore public trust in leadership by nurturing a new generation of accountable and community-focused leaders.
He said his political journey, including his legal challenges, has strengthened his resolve to push for a more inclusive and transparent political environment. “This party is about giving every Kenyan a fair chance, especially the youth who are often ignored,” he said.
Sonko said the party will embark on grassroots mobilisation ahead of its official launch, with a national recruitment drive expected to commence soon.
