President William Ruto has nominated new officials to head the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) following the exit of former RPP boss Anne Nderitu.
Mr John Cox Lorionokou has been picked as the next Registrar of Political Parties and Ms Agatha Wanjiku Wahome as Assistant Registrar, pending approval by the National Assembly.
Mr Lorionokou is a former senior official of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
If cleared, he will now replace Ms Sophia Sitati, who has been serving in an acting capacity following the appointment of Ms Nderitu as a commissioner to the IEBC.
At the same time, the Head of State also nominated Ms Claris Awour Onganga to serve as Chairperson of KNCHR, following the death of Roseline Odede in January and the rejection of the position by Duncan Ojwang’.
“The President has formally transmitted these nominations to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, as required by law,” said Mr Mohamed in a statement.
The Registrar of Political Parties plays a critical role in Kenya’s multi-party democracy, overseeing the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties.
The position also involves ensuring compliance with the Political Parties Act and facilitating fair political competition.
The office has in the past been at the center of disputes over party memberships, coalition agreements, and compliance with electoral laws.
Ms Ongaga was nominated to chair the KNCHR following a recommendation by the Selection Panel appointed through Kenya Gazette Notice No. 4651 of April 11, 2025.
If approved, Ms Onganga will lead the country’s foremost human rights body, which is tasked with monitoring, investigating, and reporting on the state of human rights in Kenya, as well as advising the government on rights-based policy.
KNCHR has often been a vocal watchdog, challenging state and non-state actors on issues ranging from police accountability to the protection of marginalized groups.
Its chairperson wields significant influence in shaping national debates on justice and human rights.
The nominations come amid heightened political activity and ongoing national conversations about governance, accountability, and the rule of law.
The new Registrar will be tasked with navigating politically charged disputes in the run-up to future elections, while the KNCHR chairperson will be stepping into a space where civic freedoms and state security concerns frequently collide.
President Ruto has formally submitted the names to the National Assembly for vetting, as required by law.
Parliament will now determine whether the nominees meet the constitutional and professional requirements for their respective roles.
