John Cox replaces Ann Nderitu as Registrar of Political Parties
The new Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Cox Lorionokou (left), when he was swearing-in before his vetting. Photo/Parliament
The National Assembly has approved the appointment of Mr John Cox Lorionokou as the new Registrar of Political Parties, handing him the mantle from Ms Ann Nderitu, who now serves as a commissioner at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Alongside him, Ms Agatha Wanjiku Wahome was confirmed as the Assistant Registrar after both nominees successfully went through vetting by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.
The Committee, chaired by MP George Murugara, tabled its report before the House, stating that the approval hearings held on August 28, 2025, were thorough and compliant with the Political Parties Act and the Public Appointments Act.
"The nominees had proved their academic qualifications, knowledge, and experience in the field. They are ready to take charge of an office central to Kenya’s political order," said Mr Murugara.
Kibwezi West MP and JLAC Vice Chairperson, Mwengi Mutuse, underscored the constitutional weight of the appointments, reminding the House that Kenya is recognised under Article 4(2) of the Constitution as a multi-party democracy guided by the national values in Article 10.
The approvals end speculation over who would replace Ms Nderitu, who left the Registrar’s office after six(6) years at the helm.
She has since been sworn in as a commissioner at IEBC, a move that thrusts her into the heart of Kenya’s electoral management at a time when public confidence in the body remains fragile.
Her tenure as Registrar was marked by high-stakes interventions in party disputes, coalition agreements, and membership wrangles.
From the Jubilee Party fallout to the management of shifting coalitions ahead of the 2022 election, she gave the office visibility and authority. Supporters saw her as firm and impartial, while critics accused her of leaning toward one side or another.
The new Registrar, Mr Cox, steps into a role that has grown in stature and controversy. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is now a key referee in the political landscape, charged with keeping membership registers, enforcing compliance, and overseeing coalition agreements. Political parties depend on its certification to operate legally, and any decision by the office can tilt the balance of power.
Alongside Ms Wahome, he inherits both the weight of responsibility and the inevitability of political pressure.
For Ms Nderitu, the shift to IEBC marks a continuation of her journey in defending democratic institutions.
At the electoral commission, she is part of a team expected to deliver credible elections, rebuild public trust, and heal scars left by bitterly contested polls.
The 2017 election nullification and the 2022 divisions among commissioners cast a long shadow over the commission.
Into this climate, she brings her legal background, her experience in handling political storms, and a reputation for calm firmness.
Yet at IEBC, the stakes are higher and the scrutiny sharper. Every decision will be contested, every statement analysed, and every ruling capable of sparking national debate.
Back at the ORPP, expectations are already mounting. Will Mr Lorionokou and Ms Wahome match their predecessor’s firmness? Will they keep the office above the storms of political rivalry?
Their performance will matter not just to Parliament but to parties and citizens who depend on a strong referee in Kenya’s multi-party democracy. The transition signals continuity but also opens a new chapter in the relationship between political parties and electoral institutions.
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