Trouble For Kenyan Registrar Of Political Parties After Clearing Mike Sonko

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Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has launched sharp criticism at Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou, accusing him of unlawfully approving the registration of former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko’s new political outfit despite his impeachment.

Speaking on Wednesday, December 10, Cherargei claimed the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) violated constitutional provisions on leadership and integrity by allowing Sonko to register and lead a political party.

Sonko’s National Economic Development Party (NEDP) was formally approved on Tuesday, December 10, paving the way for its participation in future by-elections and the 2027 polls.

According to Cherargei, individuals removed from office through impeachment—among them Sonko, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu—should not be permitted to head political parties.

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He insisted that although the Constitution protects the political rights of all citizens, leadership roles within political outfits must align with the integrity standards outlined in Chapter Six.

“Sonko, Waititu, and Gachagua are impeached and therefore do not have locus standi to form or run political parties in Kenya despite political freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution,” Cherargei stated. He further described the approval of their party positions as “illegal, unconstitutional, and corruption of the highest order.”

Waititu currently leads the Farmers Party after taking over the outfit in February 2025, while Gachagua launched the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in May 2025.

Sonko’s move to establish NEDP now places him alongside the two former leaders seeking political resurgence through new party vehicles.

Despite the senator’s objections, ORPP maintains that NEDP successfully met all the requirements under the Political Parties Act. Reports indicate that Sonko is set to be formally installed as party leader in early 2026.

In a statement shared on his social media pages after receiving his registration certificate, Sonko celebrated the milestone, noting that the party is now cleared to field candidates nationwide.

“The National Economic Development Party of Kenya (NEDP) is now fully authorised to field candidates for any elective position in any by-election across the country,” he said.

Sonko’s return to the political arena is expected to shape early conversations around the 2027 general elections, with his new outfit projected to attract supporters seeking alternative political pathways.

Meanwhile, Cherargei has called for accountability from the Registrar’s office, insisting that Parliament must address what he termed a dangerous precedent for governance and integrity in Kenya’s political landscape.