Registrar of Political Parties Attacked for Registering Sonko’s Party

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has been criticised for approving former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s newly formed National Economic Development Party (NEDP). In a statement shared on his social media pages on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei who is also a lawyer noted that former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Mike Sonko have all formed political parties and been impeached. He argued that it is unlawful for politicians in such positions to establish and run political parties. Cherargei emphasised that, as impeached leaders, Sonko, Waititu, and Gachagua do not have the legal standing to form or operate political parties in Kenya, despite constitutional provisions for political freedoms. He described the approval of party officials in such circumstances as puzzling, illegal, unconstitutional, and an act of corruption of the highest order. He further stated that the Registrar of Political Parties has violated the chapter on leadership and integrity and must be held accountable according to the law. “Sonko, Waititu and Gachagua are IMPEACHED and therefore do not have locus standi to form or run political parties in Kenya despite the constitutional provision of political freedoms.” “The fact that the registrar of political parties (RPP) approved party officials who are impeached are allowed to form & run political parties is a puzzle, illegal, unconstitutional and corruption of the highest order. The registrar of political Parties has violated the chapter of leadership and integrity and must be held accountable accordingly.” This comes a day after the ORPP approved full party registration for his NEDP While speaking after the launch of his party, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Mike Sonko said the party is set to give the country an alternative leadership since, according to him, the country has been held hostage by legacy parties that have existed for years without offering Kenyans meaningful solutions. He further stated that it has not been an easy task to come up with the party, saying it has been a long journey which they began in 2019, lodging registration documents in 2020. He, however, thanked the ORPP for helping them realise their dream of having a party.