President William Ruto has officially appointed John Cox Lorionokou as the new Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). The appointment was confirmed in a Gazette Notice dated October 2, 2025, where Lorionokou was named to serve for a non-renewable six-year term.
According to the notice, the President exercised his powers under Section 34A of the Political Parties Act. The role of Registrar is one of the most critical constitutional offices, charged with overseeing the registration, regulation, and supervision of political parties in Kenya.
The ORPP also administers the Political Parties Fund, enforces compliance with the law, and manages coalition agreements. This makes the office central to shaping Kenya’s political landscape, especially as parties begin to realign ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Lorionokou takes over from Sophia Sitati, who had been serving in an acting capacity since July 14, 2025. Sitati assumed the role after former Registrar Anne Nderitu resigned upon her appointment as a commissioner with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Alongside Lorionokou’s appointment, President Ruto also named Agatha Wanjiku Wahome as Assistant Registrar of Political Parties for a six-year term. Wahome will join other deputies in supporting the Registrar’s expanding responsibilities.
In the same Gazette Notice, the President appointed Claris Awuor Ongangah as the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). She, too, will serve for six years, overseeing one of the country’s most important human rights watchdog institutions.
The appointments are part of a wider reshuffle in governance and oversight bodies, signaling Ruto’s intent to strengthen key institutions as his administration enters its fourth year in office.
