Sonko's back! Former governor launches new party and eyes 2027 presidential race
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has announced his return to city and national politics, following the full registration of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP).
On Tuesday, Sonko received the party's certificate of full registration, declaring his intention to influence the politics of the city and the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He is listed as the party leader, and Naomi Chebet Masai and Anthony Manyara have been named as deputies.
John Muchai Nyamu is the national chairperson and is being deputised by Zablon Rashid Minyonga and Nancy Muchani.
“This is the party to watch. We are building a movement that will help form the next government. Our foundation is economic transformation, development, and upgrading the livelihoods of Kenyans,” Sonko said.
Mike Sonko, the former Governor of Nairobi County, speaks outside the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties after the National Economic Development Party, of which he is a member, received its compliance certificate upon fulfilling all registration requirements.
He said that his party will accommodate everyone across the country, including the young people who are expected to contribute to bringing change to the country.
“We welcome everyone from Gen Z to elders, from all political backgrounds anyone who believes in changing our country. Let us join hands and work together. We are focused on delivering to Kenyans,” Sonko said.
To attract young people to the party, the former governor announced that starting next year, the party will tour universities to ensure the views of young people are represented.
According to Sonko, the party is considering having candidates in all the elective seats in the country, including the presidential position.
“It is not a must that the flag bearer must be Sonko. Anyone with the presidential ambitions can come to the party and we will use the democratic process to decide. We respect all Kenyans and we are a party of our own.”
Following his impeachment in 2020 and subsequent legal defeats, the former governor announced that he has not given up on his case.
The Supreme Court barred Sonko from participating in elections and holding public office following his impeachment on November 26, 2020.
He moved to the High Court, where he filed several petitions to challenge his ouster. The petition was dismissed, and the matter eventually ended up at the Supreme Court.
He filed another case before the East Africa Court of Justice, submitting that proceedings before the Supreme Court were conducted in a manner that violated his transparency and accountability.
On Tuesday, he revisited the matter, saying: “A leader can only be locked out after exhausting all avenues of appeal. The Supreme Court rushed my case, and the East African Court of Justice confirmed that my impeachment was unfair…how can a matter stay for over three years without a single communication? Kenyans deserve fairness, even from the highest court."
“With the EACJ judgment now on record, I will pursue justice to the very end. My rights were violated, and I’m seeking a review because the truth is finally coming out,” he added.
Mike Sonko, the former Governor of Nairobi County, speaks outside the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties after the National Economic Development Party, of which he is a member, received its compliance certificate upon fulfilling all registration requirements.
While the former governor has accused the CJ of delaying his fate, the Apex court's decision that he could not hold any public office due to his impeachment stands.
The former governor also dismissed the allegations that he is the project of someone who is interested in spoiling the votes and the plans for the United Opposition side in Nairobi.
“We don’t want to talk about other parties like Wiper, I don’t about Kasongo or anyone. We are a party of our own.”
Separately, the Tax Appeals Tribunal has given Sonko a reprieve by ordering the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to immediately lift the agency notices freezing his bank accounts. The Tribunal ruled that the disputed taxes are not yet collectable until Sonko's appeal has been fully heard and determined.
The tribunal directed KRA to unfreeze Sonko’s accounts, warning that failure to comply would attract penal consequences. The ruling grants Sonko temporary relief as his tax case proceeds.
But even as the Tribunal lifted KRA’s freeze, Equity Bank says it has been caught between contradictory orders issued by KRA and the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), both demanding opposing actions on the same set of accounts.
According to court filings, Sonko holds five Kenyan shilling accounts and one dollar account at Equity. KRA had first issued an agency notice demanding over Sh574 million in alleged unpaid taxes.
The agency later claimed the same funds were proceeds of crime despite a High Court ruling by Justice Nixon Sifuna setting aside earlier preservation orders against him.
The bank now says the directives are irreconcilable and that acting on either risks violating the law. It has therefore sought the court’s guidance, arguing that only a judicial determination can resolve which agency’s instructions take precedence.
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