Former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu was on Thursday welcomed into the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), marking her exit from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as she positions herself for a parliamentary bid in Tharaka Nithi County ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kananu was received into the party by NEDP leader and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who said her entry strengthens the party’s growing presence as political realignments gather pace across the country. According to the party, Kananu intends to contest the Maara Constituency parliamentary seat on the NEDP ticket, subject to the party’s nomination process.
Her move marks a return to elective politics after she served as Nairobi Governor following the impeachment of Sonko in December 2020. Kananu’s path to the governorship was unusual: Sonko had nominated her as his deputy in January 2020, but court injunctions froze her vetting for months. After the legal challenges were dropped in January 2021, she was sworn in as Deputy Governor and shortly after assumed the top county office, becoming Nairobi’s first female governor.
Welcoming her to NEDP, Sonko said the party’s focus is on fighting poverty, improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and expanding access to education and clean water for residents of Maara. He said the party was committed to fighting poverty, improving infrastructure, creating jobs, expanding access to quality education and clean water, and restoring hope to the people of Maara.
However, Sonko made clear that Kananu’s admission into the party does not guarantee her a direct nomination. He said every aspirant must go to the ground, earn the support of the people and compete fairly in the party primaries, adding that NEDP believes in free, fair and democratic nominations. He emphasised that all aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, regardless of their political stature, would be required to go through competitive primaries.
Kananu’s defection adds to a growing list of high-profile recruits joining NEDP, which has expanded its footprint to more than 24 counties since its launch this year. The party has also attracted aspirants from Mandera, Meru, Isiolo South and Nairobi in recent weeks.
Her switch comes as political parties across the country continue recruiting members and positioning candidates ahead of the 2027 polls, with several politicians already having changed allegiances in recent months.
