The Nairobi High Court rejected a petition seeking to prevent former governor Mike Sonko from serving as leader of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP) while the case proceeds.

Justice Roselyne Aburili declined to certify the application as urgent and did not grant temporary restraining orders, directing the petitioner to serve the respondents before the matter returns on 23 November 2026 for further directions.

The petitioner, Advocate Nick Sanare of Sanare & Associates, argued that Sonko is constitutionally disqualified from holding any party office because of his impeachment and removal as Nairobi governor in December 2020.

Sanare sought conservatory orders to stop Sonko from exercising any party‑leader functions, to prevent the Registrar of Political Parties from recognising him as a founding member or office holder, and to bar the IEBC from accepting any nomination documents signed by him.

The petition also requested the Registrar to produce certified copies of NEDP’s registration, its founding members list, and any objections to the proposed changes to its officials published in the Kenya Gazette on 9 October 2026.

The court noted that the proposed orders would not affect candidates already cleared by the IEBC at the time of the ruling.

Sonko’s removal was upheld by the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court between 2021 and 2022, and his subsequent review applications were dismissed, including a final one in July 2024.

The petitioner relied on Article 75(3) of the Constitution and relevant sections of the Political Parties Act, which bar persons removed from office for constitutional breaches from holding party leadership positions.

According to the petition, Sonko founded NEDP in December 2025, has been publicly presented as its leader, and is currently leading the party’s campaign for the Migwani Ward by‑election scheduled for 17 November 2026.

The court will revisit the matter after service on the respondents, with further directions expected on 23 November 2026.