Parliament has paved the way for a new team to take the helm at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, a crucial institution that will oversee the regulation of parties in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
This follows the approval by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs of John Lorionokou and Agatha Wahome for appointment as the new Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, respectively.
The two are set to take over from Ann Nderitu, who has since been appointed as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, following the subsequent approval of their nomination in plenary.
The committee, chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara, concluded that both nominees possessed the requisite academic qualifications, professional experience and moral integrity required for the demanding roles. John Lorionokou – A Seasoned Elections Manager
Lorionokou, a 52-year-old from West Pokot county, brings to the role more than 15 years of extensive experience in the very electoral system he will now help regulate.
His career at the IEBC since 2010 saw him serve as a county elections manager in Kisumu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia.
During his vetting, he highlighted this hands-on experience, stating it afforded him deep insight into Kenyan politics and politicians, a background he termed "instrumental" for the Registrar's role. He proudly noted that in the three counties he managed, only one election petition was filed and it was subsequently dismissed by the courts.
Academically, Lorionokou holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree from Maseno University and is pursuing a Master's in Governance and Ethics from Mount Kenya University.
He has also undergone senior management training at the Kenya School of Government.When questioned on key challenges, Lorionokou emphasised the need to reinforce the ORPP's presence beyond the current 12 counties to enhance public awareness nationwide.
On the contentious issue of "briefcase" parties, he advocated consistent enforcement of compliance rather than arbitrary denial of registration, affirming the constitutional right to a multi-party system. He also expressed confidence in the current ORPP structure, suggesting it should be strengthened instead of being replaced by a new commission as recently proposed. Agatha Wahome - Finance and Governance Expert
From her submissions to MPs, Wahome, 48, from Nyeri county presented a strong profile in financial management and internal audit, skills critical for overseeing political party funding and compliance.
She is a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) graduate from Kenyatta University, and also holds a Master’s in Management and Agribusiness from Strathmore University.
Wahome is a finalist for both Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Public Secretary (CPS) qualifications.
Her professional journey includes a decade at Equity Bank Limited before joining the IEBC in 2011. At the electoral agency, she rose through various senior finance and audit roles, including regional accountant and internal audit manager.
More recently, she served as the commission’s data protection officer and acting director for research and internal audit.
During her hearing, Wahome highlighted her skills in persuasion and dispute resolution, gained from financial and project management, which she plans to leverage to encourage compliance among political parties.
On handling misconduct, she outlined a graduated approach, starting with warnings and escalating to legal sanctions like deregistration for persistent offenders. She acknowledged the proposed establishment of an Independent Political Parties Regulatory Commission (IPPRC), but stressed the need for a clear demarcation of roles to ensure operational efficiency should the new body be established.
The committee's report noted that both nominees had received the necessary clearances from state agencies, including the DCI, the EACC and KRA.
With the full House’s approval, Lorionokou and Wahome are set to assume their new duties, bringing a blend of electoral operational experience and financial governance acumen to the task of managing the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
