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.
The unveiling of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s National Economic Development Party (NEDP) has sent political shockwaves through Ukambani with Wiper Patriotic Front, the dominant party in the region, allaying fears that the flamboyant politician’s return could jeopardise Kalonzo Musyoka’s 2027 arithmetic.
The new party appears to have shaken the political landscape in the lower eastern region, prompting Mr Musyoka’s party to adopt a defensive stance, with some allies questioning the timing, intent and potential impact of Sonko’s resurgence.
The ensuing reactions revealed a deeper anxiety: despite Sonko’s legal battles and political setbacks, he still possesses a raw populist energy capable of disrupting stabilised political spaces.
This is why, while publicly dismissing fears, the Wiper is quietly unsettled.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the congregation during a church service at Christian Dominion Ministries in Kasarani on December 7, 2025.
“This Sonko Party, completely mimicking the older sky blue #Wiper colours, is the single biggest threat to our Wiper Party, especially in Ukambani stronghold and here in Nairobi. The topmost Wiper leadership needs to be very wise. Either we go full throttle in fighting the new party or we sit down with Sonko.
"Let’s strategise if Wiper has to remain top in the game especially in its stronghold,” Mr Fred Musau, a member of Mr Musyoka’s party and a contestant for an East African Legislative Assembly slot in 2022 warns.
However, the former governor insists that he is merely exercising his constitutional freedom. To him, founding a political party is neither a rebellion nor an act of sabotage, but the next step in his long political journey.
“It’s my constitutional and democratic right to form and run a party,” Mr Sonko says. “I have a lot of respect for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and this has got nothing to do with his party or influence. He even called to congratulate me.”
Mr Sonko argues that Kenya has always had multiple political outfits even within the same region. Ukambani itself has in the past hosted several parties without threatening Wiper’s grip.
“One must start from somewhere, even Kalonzo started from somewhere and he has his following,” he says. “We have other Ukambani leaders who have their parties. Why aren’t people faulting them? Why me? Harun Mwau has a party, Kalembe Ndile had Tip Tip, Kivutha Kibwana had his party and Alfred Mutua has Maendeleo Chap Chap.”
Mr Sonko says Kenyans are “backward” for assuming any new party in the region automatically targets Mr Musyoka.
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 also rejects the growing claims — mostly from within Wiper —that his party is a State project planted by President William Ruto to destabilise the Rigathi Gachagua-Kalonzo-led United Opposition.
“I’m not a member of the United Opposition, neither am I Ruto’s project,” he says. “If I was a project, how come the State has frozen my accounts and won’t allow me to access my own money? I am my own man. My intention is to become president one day.”
But beneath his public defiance lies a longstanding bitterness with what he describes as politically weaponised court cases.
“The law has been applied selectively against me. The courts have been used to try and dim my political career. We will fight until justice is done. Don’t write my political obituary yet.”
For decades, Mr Musyoka’s Wiper Party has been synonymous with the Lower Eastern political identity.
The party has survived waves of defections, new political formations, and multiple attempts by national parties to eat into its support base.
Sonko, however, presents a different type of threat.
He is not a traditional politician. His base is mostly urban, youthful, national and passionate. He speaks the language of Nairobi’s hustlers and Eastlands dwellers. His brand travels beyond counties and ethnic lines.
Subtle warnings
And while Wiper leaders publicly dismiss fears, their tone reveals a cautious unease.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, one of Mr Musyoka’s most trusted lieutenants, maintains that Mr Sonko has a right to form a party—but subtle warnings are woven into his message.
“Sonko is my friend and a leader I respect,” he says. “He has exercised his right. But I don’t see how he can allow himself to be used by the Ruto administration to undermine the opposition.”
Mr Wambua does not believe NEDP threatens Wiper.
“My brother Sonko has a right to form and belong to a political party of his choice. He has just exercised that right and he must be allowed the space to establish and nurture his party as he plans to.”
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo also strikes a cautious balance: respect for Mr Sonko, acknowledgment of his right, and subtle reminders of Wiper’s strength.
“Sonko is a politician per excellence. He has been mistreated by the regime, and he is only exercising his constitutional right,” says Mr Maanzo. “But let’s see how much following he is able to garner. Those who belong to Wiper are steadfast and cannot be swayed.”
Interestingly, Mr Maanzo frames Mr Sonko as an asset rather than a rival: “If Sonko can bring more people away from Ruto, the better. The opposition is stronger with him.”
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi is more explicit. To him, Mr Sonko’s party fits into what he calls president Ruto’s broader strategy to weaken the opposition.
“Ruto will do a lot of games,” Mr Mwangangi warns. “Even within the United Opposition, he will use resources on leaders to divide and weaken us.”
He claims the State is planting political outfits disguised as neutral or friendly.
“We know people will come with funny political outfits to advance Ruto’s agenda because he is desperate,” he says. “Even within the opposition, he will try to buy leaders and sponsor some to cause confusion.”
To him, the risk is structural, and Ukambani could be flooded with alternative parties, shaving off votes, splitting loyalties, and ultimately weakening Mr Musyoka’s bargaining power ahead of 2027.
Makueni Governor and Wiper deputy chairman Mutula Kilonzo Jr introduces a more measured view. “I have heard the rumours that Ruto is behind Mr Sonko’s party, but there is no evidence,” he says. “My personal view is that this outfit is an alternative for those who want to vie in Lower Eastern but don’t want to join Wiper.”
Mr Kilonzo’s comment acknowledges a reality that not every aspirant in the region wants to be tied to Wiper. Some crave platforms where they can negotiate directly with national formations.
NEDP could become that convenient launching pad. But Mr Sonko’s party is not positioning itself as a Kamba party. Its messaging is national, its imagery expansive, and its ambitions colossal.
Secretary-General Ben Mulwa says the registration of NEDP began long before UDA existed, dismissing claims it could be a State project.
“We started the process way back in April 2020. How can we be a project of UDA, a party newer than ours?” he says.
He also dismisses the Ukambani narrative entirely. “This is a party for all Kenyans. We shall field candidates in all positions — 1,450 MCA seats, 290 MPs, 47 governors, senators, Woman Reps, and a presidential candidate.”
On whether that presidential candidate is Mr Sonko, Mr Mulwa quipped: “That’s a very small bridge we shall cross when we get there.”
For now, the focus, he says, is building structures and establishing the party as a legitimate national player.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s Spokesperson Ben Mulwa addresses the media in Nairobi on April 30, 2020 regarding hurdles in implementation of the Nairobi takeover deal with the national government.
“We have not aligned with the government or the opposition. We belong on the side of Kenyans.”
Mr Sonko’s re-entry into the national stage is disruptive in three major ways as he appeals to the youth, has national name recognition.
Analysts say that few politicians have Mr Sonko’s raw visibility.
“His brand — flashy, populist, and compassionate — travels beyond Ukambani,” argues advocate Chris Omore.
He also argues that Mr Sonko also complicates succession arithmetic. “If Sonko courts even 10–15 per cent of Ukambani’s votes, Kalonzo’s bargaining power in the 2027 coalition becomes significantly diluted.”
For now, Mr Sonko insists he is only beginning his second act.
“Don’t write my political obituary yet,” he says, as his new party colours spread across the national debate.
On Tuesday, Mr 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,” Mr Sonko said.
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,” Mr 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.
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