A simple media search has brought forth what appears to be an overwhelming positive reaction to the registration of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP) which is associated with former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
Sonko, who has been inching back into the political arena after years of legal and eligibility battles, said the newly registered party will serve as the “foundation of his political comeback” as he repositions himself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
But on the other side of it, lies thousands of young political aspirants who have been yearning for a political party they can trust and ride on in seeking political office.
While Sonko exuded confidence that the party will help form the next government, a good number of youthful aspirants stormed social media pages expressing their pleasure in finally getting an outfit that can consider their aspirations.
This is due to the fact that Sonko himself has insisted on working with the downtrodden as he seeks to shake the traditional political arithmetic on the country.
“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 confirmed.
The NEDP leader issued an open invitation, positioning the party as a broad coalition for national renewal.
Speaking after being handed the certificate, Sonko said NEDP will champion economic empowerment, job creation, inclusive development and a people-first governance model.
He described the party as a home for Kenyans feeling politically sidelined, promising a movement that focuses on “real issues affecting ordinary citizens.”
“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,” Sonko noted.
In Nairobi, a number of aspirants have come out to declare support for Sonko and the party and are optimistic that it can offer the much needed political discipline that has been elusive to most of the existing political parties in the country.
Margaret Akinyi who unsuccessfully vied for the Imara Daima MCA seat in 2022 has said that the party should not be underrated at all.
“ I don’t know how but I am going to do everything possible to be one of the brand ambassadors for the party which we can bank on for our aspiration in 2027,” she said.
Former Korogocho MCA Michael Ochar has opined that the party will be strong in urban areas like Nairobi,Mombasa,Nakuru and Kisumu.
“ If you are in Nairobi you can only ignore Mike Sonko and his party at your won risk because this is a city that loves him and he understand it so well to the extent that the people he supports have been winning,” he said
In rallies, policy forums, and online platforms, politicians from across the spectrum are aligning themselves with young voters – a demographic that has traditionally been underrepresented at the ballot box but whose political influence is growing stronger.
Meanwhile, many young people themselves are planning to run for elective positions, hoping to capitalise on growing public sentiment against politicians who have dominated the political landscape for years.
The 2027 polls are expected to be high-stakes elections due to the interest shown by youth and their evident discontent with the current political class.
Both established politicians and emerging young leaders will compete for support from more than 10 million youth who will be eligible to vote in 2027. As of 2022, youth constituted 39.8 percent of registered voters, totaling 8.8 million.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics estimates that in 2024, the country had 5,670,020 youth aged between 15 and 19. By the time the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission reopens the voter register, most of these young people will be eligible to receive voter cards in preparation for the 2027 elections.
Sonko’s public invited to the young people to subscribe and align to his political party will by all means rattle the balances scales as we approach 2027.
