Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has intensified his grassroots push across the country, with his party, the National Empowerment and Development Party (NEDP), rolling out a series of high-energy regional campaigns ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
This week, Sonko and his team pitched camp in Isiolo County and Embu County, drumming up support for NEDP candidates and popularising the party’s development agenda.
In Isiolo County, the party formally threw its weight behind parliamentary aspirant Isack Abduba Fayo, who is contesting the Isiolo South seat. Leaders traversed the constituency rallying residents and outlining what they described as a transformative, people-first leadership approach.
Addressing enthusiastic crowds in Garbatulla, Sonko underscored what he termed a “people-centred approach” to leadership, insisting that service delivery — not empty rhetoric — remains the backbone of his party’s agenda.
“We do not play politics with the lives of the people of the North Eastern region,” Sonko declared. “We are committed to serving with sincerity, dignity and action, delivering real impact where it matters most.”
Tangible support on ground
In a show of practical intervention, Sonko’s team visited Alhuma Orphanage Centre in Isiolo South, where they donated essential supplies to learners. The items included mattresses for all pupils, sanitary towels, school uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, geometrical sets, pencils and other stationery.
The nearby Alhuma Community Mosque also benefited from prayer carpets and a public address system to enhance religious activities. Sonko further announced plans to sink a borehole to guarantee a sustainable and reliable water supply for the institution and surrounding community.
Residents welcomed the gestures, praising what they described as hands-on leadership.
Garbatulla town witnessed a charged political atmosphere as large crowds turned up to receive the NEDP leader.
“Garbatulla was on fire! We had a very successful campaign and the message of hope and transformation is resonating strongly on the ground,” Sonko said, thanking locals for the warm reception and overwhelming support.
Observers noted that the rally signalled NEDP’s growing presence in the North Eastern region, long considered politically strategic.
Expanded campaign trail
The Isiolo tour comes as NEDP unveiled several other candidates across the country.
In Kakamega County, George Musini Mukhwana was cleared to vie for the West Kabras MCA seat in Malava Constituency. Meanwhile, Cosmas Njeru and Martin Mukundi secured party tickets to contest the Muminji and Evurore ward seats respectively in Mbeere North Constituency.
Party Secretary General Ben Mulwa said the campaigns will now shift to these regions, with Sonko expected to personally lead rallies to boost his candidates’ prospects.
Beyond Garbatulla, the NEDP team also toured Kina and Dusit wards in Isiolo South. In Kina Ward, Sonko donated a solar power system and a public address system to enhance prayer services and community gatherings. In Disit Ward, he distributed food supplies and pledged to rehabilitate a broken-down borehole to restore access to clean and reliable water.
The tour covered three wards in total, underscoring what party officials described as an aggressive grassroots strategy.
As the by-election season gathers momentum, Sonko appears determined to position NEDP as a service-driven alternative blending political mobilisation with direct community intervention.
