NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Assembly has granted the appointment of John Cox Lorionokou as the Registrar of Political Parties and Agatha Wanjiku Wahome as the Assistant Registrar.
The decision came after George Murugara, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC), tabled a report on the nominees’ vetting and approval hearings.
The hearings were held on August 28, 2025, in accordance with Section 34A, the Sixth Schedule of the Political Parties Act, and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.
Murugara notified members of the House that the approval hearings were exhaustive.
“We were able to determine the nominees’ academic credentials, demonstrated knowledge, and relevant experience in respective fields,” explained the lawmaker.
Mwengi Mutuse, Kibwezi West MP and JLAC Vice Chairperson, emphasised the decision’s constitutional significance.
“What we are doing today is a mandate from the Constitution. Article 4(2) defines Kenya to be a multi-party democracy, which must be exercised in accordance with the national values and principles outlined in Article 10,” said Mutuse.
Why President Ruto made the appointments
On August 15, 2025, President William Ruto nominated Lorionokou and Wanjiku as Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties respectively, a decision made on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission,.
“In addition, and in line with the recommendation of the Selection Panel appointed via Kenya Gazette Notice No. 4651 of 11th April 2025, President Ruto nominated Claris Awour Onganga for consideration by the National Assembly for appointment as Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),”read a statement from State House Spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed.
Hussein further said that the president had formally transmitted the nominations to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, as required by the law.
Lorionokou previously served as a returning officer for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kisumu in 2017.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is crucial to Kenya’s political scene, managing the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties under the Political Parties Act.
Why Anne Nderitu left the ORPP
Following parliamentary approval, Lorionokou becomes the second Party Registrar, succeeding Ann Nderitu, who is now an IEBC Commissioner.
Nderitu left the job in July, marking the end of her stint, which began in 2018 when she became the first woman to hold the role.
The ORPP is a constitutional body established under Article 260 of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act of 2011.
The Political Parties Fund is responsible for the registration, regulation, and financing of political parties in Kenya, and it plays an important role in promoting the country’s democratic multiparty system.
Discussion about this post