Kenyan President William Ruto reacts during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
2027 Battles: Sonko’s NEDP Gains Ground in Mombasa as Defections Rock UDA, ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee
MOMBASA, Kenya — A fresh political storm is brewing along the Coast, presenting a major strategic headache for President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Edwin Sifuna’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s National Economic Development Party (NEDP) has stepped up its expansion in Mombasa County, sparking a wave of high-profile defections from major political outfits.
The latest realignment hit Changamwe Constituency, where a parliamentary aspirant, several Member of County Assembly (MCA) hopefuls, former party officials, and key grassroots mobilisers abandoned UDA, ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee to join NEDP.
Political analysts view the move as a clear signal that Sonko is aggressively carving out a formidable base in the coastal region, threatening to split votes traditionally claimed by the established political behemoths.
High-Profile Defections Hit Changamwe
Leading the cohort of defectors is Changamwe parliamentary aspirant Abdi Dahib, formerly of UDA, who was officially unveiled as NEDP’s flagbearer for the constituency.
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The party also secured a major boost in the ward-level contests, receiving several MCA aspirants who crossed over from competing parties:
- Port Reitz Ward: Asha Abdala and Shamza Mohamed (both formerly of UDA).
- Kipevu Ward: Sophia Bonaya (formerly of UDA).
- Airport Ward: Fatma Zadin and Michael Nato (ex-UDA), Gina Bernard (formerly of Wiper), and Gordon Opiyo (formerly of ODM).
In addition to elected position seekers, NEDP absorbed a network of influential party managers and grassroots coordinators. Notable figures making the jump include former UDA Changamwe Sub-County Chairlady Jane Mwadembo, former UDA Airport Ward Youth Leader William Njoroge, former Wiper Airport Ward Secretary Enos Mulama, former UDA Changamwe Sub-County Youth Leader Saida Abdala, former Jubilee Changamwe Organising Secretary Faira Kikuyu, former Wiper Mama County Coordinator Vicky Mwendwa, and former Wiper Deputy Women Leader Aisha Kasin.
Sonko Signals Nationwide Push
Receiving the defectors at his office in Nairobi on Thursday, July 29, 2026, Sonko described the realignments as a massive vote of confidence in NEDP’s vision and proof of its emergence as a major player in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
“Our vision is to build a united, prosperous, and inclusive Kenya by creating opportunities for the youth, fighting unemployment, restoring hope, and transforming communities,” Sonko declared.
He added that NEDP remains committed to economic empowerment, youth job creation, and poverty reduction, promising to sustain the nationwide recruitment drive as the party prepares to field candidates across the country in 2027.
A Growing Headache for Mainstream Parties
Mombasa and the wider Coast region have historically served as pivotal swing grounds in national contests. With Sonko leveraging his populist appeal and grassroots networks, NEDP’s aggressive recruitment threatens to destabilize both UDA’s inroads and ODM’s traditional stronghold.
As party leaders recalibrate their strategies, Mombasa is rapidly solidifying its status as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds leading into the 2027 elections.
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