Nairobi, Kenya| Flamboyant former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has officially re-entered Kenya’s political arena after the Registrar of Political Parties granted full registration to his National Economic Development Party (NEDP), marking one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent Kenyan political history.
The registration, confirmed on Tuesday, ends years of legal and political limbo for the ex-governor, whose dramatic 2021 impeachment had appeared to sideline him permanently from elective politics.
Sonko wasted no time in declaring the NEDP a vehicle for “total economic transformation” and a platform that will play a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s next government.
Speaking at a packed press conference in Nairobi, Sonko extended an open invitation to leaders from across the country’s 47 counties to join what he termed “a broad-based national renewal movement that puts the economic interests of ordinary Kenyans first.”
“The NEDP is not just another political party; it is a revolutionary economic agenda that will rescue Kenya from debt distress, youth unemployment, and elite capture,” Sonko declared. “We are building a party that will form the backbone of the next government. The doors are wide open for patriots who believe in economic justice.”
A Comeback Fueled by East African Court Victory
Sonko’s political resurrection gained significant legal momentum following a landmark ruling by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) earlier this year.
The regional court found that the 2021 impeachment process orchestrated by the Nairobi County Assembly and upheld by the Senate violated fundamental principles of fairness, natural justice, and due process.
The EACJ verdict effectively reopened Sonko’s legal options and emboldened his supporters, who have consistently argued that his removal was politically motivated.
Sources close to the former governor indicate he is now exploring multiple avenues—both locally and regionally—to have the impeachment nullified entirely.
Renewed Attack on Chief Justice Martha Koome
Never one to shy away from controversy, Sonko used the platform of his party launch to revive his long-standing demand for the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome.
He accused the CJ of bias in handling his impeachment appeal and claimed the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has deliberately sat on his 2022 petition seeking her removal.
“The Judiciary must be cleansed of individuals who use their positions to settle political scores,” Sonko charged. “Kenyans deserve a Chief Justice who upholds impartiality, not one who selectively applies the law to protect certain interests.”
The former governor stopped short of announcing fresh litigation against the CJ but hinted that “all constitutional and legal options remain on the table.”
What the NEDP Stands For: Economic Transformation First
While detailed policy documents are yet to be unveiled, Sonko outlined the NEDP’s core pillars as aggressive job creation for the youth, debt restructuring, support for small and medium enterprises, affordable housing, universal healthcare, and an end to “wasteful expenditure” by the national government.
Political analysts see the NEDP as a strategic attempt by Sonko to reposition himself ahead of the 2027 general election, potentially as a kingmaker in Nairobi and coastal regions where he still commands a loyal following.
“Sonko has always thrived on populist appeal and direct connection with the masses,” said political commentator Herman Manyora. “With a fully registered party and a favorable regional court ruling, he now has the institutional framework to translate that street popularity into structured political power.”
A New Chapter or Familiar Drama?
For a politician known for dramatic entrances, generous philanthropy, and equally dramatic controversies, Sonko’s return has already polarized opinion.
Supporters view him as a victim of political witch-hunts who is now vindicated, while critics question whether his new party will rise above personality-driven politics.
One thing is certain: with the NEDP now a fully fledged political entity, Mike Sonko is back in the game—and Kenyan politics just got a lot more colorful.
As the 2027 election cycle looms, all eyes will be on whether the man who once governed Nairobi with gold-plated bravado can indeed engineer the national economic renewal he promises, or whether his comeback will remain another chapter in Kenya’s long tradition of high-stakes political drama.
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