Saumu Mbuvi has joined the contest for the Nairobi County Women Representative position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The daughter of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko plans to pursue the seat through the National Economic Development Party (NEDP). She says her decision to enter politics is driven by a desire to serve Nairobi residents, with particular attention to women, young people and families facing difficult circumstances.
“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,” Mbuvi said.
Saumu Mbuvi’s Education
Mbuvi began her education in Nairobi before joining Buru Buru Girls High School, where she completed her secondary education and sat her Form Four examinations in 2012.
She later joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where she studied Public Relations.
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During her time at university, Mbuvi was involved in student leadership and served as vice chairperson of the students’ union between 2015 and 2016.
She later pursued postgraduate studies in Organizational Leadership at JKUAT.
Saumu Mbuvi’s Career
Saumu Mbuvi has pursued a career spanning real estate, entrepreneurship, social advocacy and business development. Around 2020, she ventured into the property business, focusing on the sale of plots, houses, villas and other coastal properties in areas such as Lamu, Malindi, Diani and Mombasa. Her entry into real estate followed a family connection to property dealings along the Coast.
She later founded the Pamoja We Can Initiative, an organisation focused on mental health awareness, mentorship and advocacy. Through the initiative, she has supported programmes aimed at helping students deal with stress and anxiety, preventing substance abuse and improving access to mental health services.
In 2023, she was appointed Machakos State Chair of the Anti-Gender Based Violence wing of the All-Ladies League.
In 2025, she relocated to Dubai, where she pursues business and investment ventures,and she said the city’s technology and innovation sector, modern infrastructure, investor-friendly environment, and growing real estate market were among the reasons behind her move.
Family
Saumu Mbuvi is the daughter of Mike Mbuvi Sonko, who served as Nairobi Governor before leaving office in 2020.
She is the eldest daughter in the family, with younger sisters Salma Mbuvi and Sandra Mbuvi.
Sandra has also ventured into politics and declared an intention to contest the Kitusuru MCA seat on the NEDP ticket.
Mbuvi is also a mother of two daughters, Umi and Sasha. She has previously spoken publicly about motherhood and her relationship with her father.
In November 2024, Saumu Mbuvi publicly celebrated her father, Mike Sonko, in an open letter about how he raised her.
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“Dear Daddy, I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I want to express something that has been on my heart for a long time, something I might not say often enough, but thank you, Daddy, for raising me the way you did,” wrote Saumu.
Saumu Mbuvi Areas of Focus in Politics
Mbuvi has organised her proposed agenda around education and skills development, employment and enterprise, health and wellbeing, and safety and inclusion.
On education, she wants women and girls to have more opportunities to gain skills that can improve their prospects. Her economic plans also include supporting women in business and expanding opportunities for young people to secure employment.
She has pointed to youth unemployment, entrepreneurship, skills development and social protection as areas that require attention in Nairobi.
“My vision is to contribute to a Nairobi where representation translates into results,” she said.
Mbuvi has also called for greater economic empowerment of women and a stronger role for young people in the city’s development.
Her campaign carries the slogan “A New Voice for a Brighter Nairobi”, alongside the message “Equal Voices. Real Opportunities. Lasting Change.”
Although Mbuvi intends to run under the NEDP banner, she will still have to compete in the party’s nomination process.
NEDP has said aspirants seeking to represent the party in the 2027 General Election must participate in party primaries. Candidates who win the respective nomination contests will then be cleared to represent the party in the elections.
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