Mike Sonko's daughters Saumu, Sandra Mbuvi enter Nairobi politics

For years, Saumu and Sandra Mbuvi have been known to Kenyans largely as Mike Sonko’s daughters.

The little girls who grew up in the full glare of a father whose political life has been in the public eye, flamboyance and headlines.

Now the Mbuvi sisters are stepping out of that familiar family photograph and into the political arena themselves.

In the space of one week, the sisters announced their intentions to seek elective positions in Nairobi, both under the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), the political vehicle led by their father.

Saumu, the elder sister, was first off the blocks, announcing a fortnight ago that she would seek the Nairobi County Woman Representative seat.

Five days later, Sandra, popularly known as Thicky Sandra, followed by declaring her intention to contest the Karura Ward MCA seat in Westlands.

Suddenly, what was once the political story of Mike Sonko is acquiring another chapter, one being written by his daughters.

Saumu presented her entry as a deliberate decision to serve rather than simply acquire a political title.

“I am not stepping forward because leadership is a title. I am stepping forward because leadership is a responsibility, a covenant with the people, and an opportunity to turn lived realities into meaningful action,” she said in her announcement.

Her proposed agenda touches on some of Nairobi’s most familiar political pressure points: economic opportunities for women, employment and entrepreneurship for young people, education and skills, healthcare, social protection and a safer, more inclusive city.

Then came Sandra.

The younger Mbuvi, who had previously considered a bid in Kitusuru, shifted her sights to neighbouring Karura and announced her candidature on social media.

“I am officially announcing my intention to run for MCA, Karura Ward, Westlands, in the 2027 General Election, under the National Economic Development Party (NEDP),” she said.

Explaining the change of ward, Sandra said she wanted to engage residents directly and understand the issues affecting the community.

“I believe leadership begins with listening, serving and being accountable to the people,” she added, describing the Karura bid as the beginning of a new journey.

Her stated priorities include women’s empowerment, youth opportunities, education, healthcare, accountability and inclusive community development.

The two announcements would ordinarily be individual political declarations. But in the Mbuvi family, there is another character in the room and he is impossible to ignore: Mike Sonko.

The former Nairobi governor is not merely their father. He is the leader of NEDP, the party under whose banner both daughters have announced their political ambitions.

That creates an unusual political equation.

Sonko has spent more than a decade building a political identity that has survived electoral victories, powerful alliances, controversy, impeachment and exclusion from the ballot.

His political journey has also been inseparable from his reputation as a businessman and a politician who has operated with considerable financial and organisational resources.

His wealth and business interests have been documented in public reporting and court-related records, although claims about the scale and source of wealth have varied over the years.

Now, instead of simply campaigning for political allies, Sonko is presiding over a party in which two of his daughters are aspiring candidates.

NEDP received its certificate of full registration late last year, formally giving Sonko a political vehicle with which to re-enter frontline politics ahead of the 2027 election.

Since then, the party has been building a presence, with Sonko saying his offices have become a meeting point for aspirants, delegates, grassroots mobilisers and supporters.

That matters for the Mbuvi sisters.

A first-time politician normally has to build recognition, identify a party, develop a campaign structure, raise resources, find grassroots organisers and create a political message almost from scratch.

Saumu and Sandra begin with some of those pieces already in place.

They have a famous political surname.

And Sonko himself has moved to address the most obvious question: does being his daughter mean receiving a ticket on a silver platter? His answer is an emphatic no.

“I’m a proud dad that they have taken that bold move. However, they will be subject to party primaries like any other candidate as per our constitution. However, should they sail through, I will give them all the backing and support she needs,” Sonko said.

The distinction is important. NEDP’s own constitution provides for party nomination requirements, including participation in party processes for those seeking elective positions.

Sonko is also clearly irritated by the suggestion that his daughters’ entry into politics amounts to turning public office into a family enterprise.

“I loathe such characters since they cannot see beyond their nose,” he said, arguing that other established political families have also produced multiple public office holders.