President William Ruto has appointed John Cox Lorionokou as the new Registrar of Political Parties.
The appointment was confirmed in a Gazette Notice dated October 2, 2025. The notice indicated that Lorionokou will serve for a non-renewable term of six years.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 34A of the Political Parties Act and in accordance with the procedure set out under paragraph 8 of the Sixth Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— JOHN COX LORIONOKOU to be the Registrar of Political Parties, for a term of six (6) years,” the Gazette Notice reads.
Lorionokou takes over a key constitutional office mandated with overseeing the registration, regulation, and supervision of political parties in Kenya. The mandate of ORPP is to register, and regulate political parties, and administer the Political Parties Fund.
The Registrar also plays a central role in the management of coalition agreements, the enforcement of compliance with the Political Parties Act, and the coordination of state funding to eligible parties.
His appointment comes at a crucial moment, with political realignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
John Cox takes over from Sophia Sitati, who was serving as the Acting Registrar of Political Parties from July 14, 2025, until his appointment was gazetted on October 2, 2025.
