The High Court has declined to bar former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko from holding the position of party leader of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP).
This comes pending the hearing and determination of a petition challenging his eligibility.
The court declined to issue temporary orders and certify the application urgent pending the hearing of the application instead the judge directed the petitioner to serve the respondents before the matter returns to court on November 23, 2026, for further directions.
In the ruling, the court stated that it had examined the petition and the Notice of Motion dated October 23, 2026, but was not satisfied that the matter warranted urgent consideration without hearing the respondents.
Court dismisses order barring Sonko from NEDP leadership
“I have perused the Petition and application by way of Notice of Motion dated 23rd October, 2026, filed under certificate of urgency, [and] am not satisfied that the same are urgent for ex parte consideration. I decline to certify them,” the court ruled.
According to reports, the application was filed by Nick Sanare, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and managing partner at Sanare & Associates Advocates, who is challenging Sonko’s eligibility to serve as a party leader or hold any other position within the governing body of NEDP.
Sanare argued that Sonko is constitutionally and legally disqualified from serving in the governing body of a political party because of his removal from public office.
According to the court documents, Sonko was impeached as Nairobi governor on December 17, 2020, over allegations including abuse of office and gross misconduct.
