NEDP Completes Registration as Youth-Led Political Force Ahead of 2027 Elections

Kenya's political landscape has a youth problem. Despite 75% of registered voters being under 35 years old, fewer than 3% of elected positions in the 2022 general elections went to candidates under 35. Traditional parties promise youth chapters and token seats, but when decision-making happens, young Kenyans remain spectators.

The National Economic Development Party (NEDP) is attempting to change that equation. After a five-year registration journey with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the youth-led party has completed full registration and is preparing for an official launch ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Breaking the Mold

At a recent media briefing, NEDP Secretary General Ben Idwa emphasized what makes the party different.

Unlike traditional parties that place youth in auxiliary wings with advisory roles, NEDP has embedded young leaders at every decision-making tier. Deputy Party Leader Anthony Manyara holds the number two position for the entire party structure, not just a youth wing. He oversees operations across four regional offices spanning Coast, Rift Valley, Western, and Eastern Kenya.

The distinction matters. When youth sit in the National Executive Committee (NEC), they vote on candidate selection, budget allocation, and manifesto priorities. No major decision bypasses them.

The Numbers Behind the Movement

NEDP's registration journey required navigating complex Political Parties Act requirements across three verification cycles. Youth leaders coordinated office inspections, documentation, and regional compliance while legal specialists ensured statutory adherence.

The party now operates with:

• 4 regional offices established and verified

• 81 counties targeted for youth voter registration before 2027

• 75% youth composition in regional coordinator positions

• 100% delegate participation requirement for candidate nominations

Idwa noted the rigor of the process:

Democratic Processes Over Backroom Deals

A key feature distinguishing NEDP from established parties is its commitment to transparent nomination processes. Where traditional parties use opaque "consensus" mechanisms allowing party bosses to handpick candidates, NEDP requires delegate-driven nominations with public timelines.

This means delegates will vote for who represents them at every level: MP, governor, MCA, and presidential candidate. No one inherits a ticket or gets anointed behind closed doors.

Youth Ownership, Professional Systems

The party has engaged specialists in political mobilization, legal compliance, and financial planning, but youth teams execute the strategies. This combination builds competence while maintaining genuine youth leadership rather than creating another top-down structure.

During the five-year registration period, youth leaders fundraised independently, negotiated office leases, and mobilized volunteers, owning both the budget and the outcomes. Within 24 months of provisional registration, youth-led teams established offices in Kenya's four regions with expansion plans youth coordinators drafted themselves.

The Sonko Factor

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's involvement as party patron adds both visibility and complexity. Despite his 2020 impeachment and ongoing Supreme Court challenges, NEDP's youth leaders have positioned him as supporter rather than controller.

This structure proved critical during Sonko's three-year legal battle. While traditional parties freeze when leaders face legal challenges, NEDP established its governance structure with youth in control of party operations. Mulwa runs administration, Manyara oversees political strategy, and youth delegates will select candidates.

Sonko himself used the media briefing to address his legal situation, revealing plans to file a review at the Supreme Court citing new evidence and procedural violations. He referenced Article 193 of the Constitution, arguing that an impeached official remains eligible for office while appeals or reviews are pending.

He noted that the Supreme Court rushed his case to conclusion within 24 hours without proper procedural safeguards. He also expressed grievances against Chief Justice Martha Koome, whom he accuses of bias after she publicly stated on Spice FM:

Sonko argues this public comment demonstrated predetermined bias before his case was heard. Regardless of Sonko's legal outcome, NEDP's 2027 election strategy proceeds under youth leadership.

Launch and Next Phase

The party is preparing for an official launch where leaders will detail their manifesto, ideology, and specific policy positions. Officials indicated the launch will happen soon, with media invited to attend.

NEDP has already begun mobilizing for 2027, with plans for a robust voter registration drive targeting youth across all 81 counties. The party expects to field candidates for presidential, gubernatorial, parliamentary, and county assembly positions.

For a nation where youth make up three-quarters of the electorate but hold only 3% of elected positions, NEDP represents a structural bet that giving young leaders actual power, not just symbolic representation, can shift political outcomes.

Whether that bet pays off will be tested in 2027. But after five years navigating Kenya's demanding party registration requirements, NEDP's youth leaders have already proven they can build institutional credibility while maintaining generational authenticity.

The question now is whether Kenyan voters are ready for a party where youth don't just mobilize votes but make the decisions that matter.

Context: This article draws from the National Economic Development Party's media briefing following full registration with Kenya's Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. Key speakers included Ben Mulwa (Secretary General), Anthony Manyara (Deputy Party Leader), and party patron Mike Sonko (former Nairobi Governor). The event took place in December 2025 in Nairobi as the party prepares for its official launch ahead of the 2027 general elections.