NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has appointed John Lorionokou as Kenya’s new Registrar of Political Parties (RPP), in a raft of leadership changes across electoral, diplomatic, and human rights institutions.
The appointments, published in a gazette notice dated Friday, October 3, 2025, also confirmed Agatha Wahome as Lorionokou’s assistant.
Lorionokou succeeds Ann Nderitu, who has held the RPP position since 2018. Nderitu has now been elevated to serve as a commissioner at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
With over 15 years of experience at the IEBC, Lorionokou previously served as a Constituency Elections Coordinator beginning in 2010.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Maseno University, has completed senior management training at the Kenya School of Government, and is pursuing a Master’s in Governance and Ethics at Mt Kenya University.
Alongside the electoral appointments, Ruto announced several ambassadorial postings.
Those named include Anthony Muchiri, Florence Bore, Lucy Kiruthu, Henry Wambuma, Abdirashid Abdille, Joseph Masila, Edwin Afande, Jayne Jepkorir Toroitich, and Judy Kiaria Nkumiri.
In the human rights docket, the President confirmed Claris Awuor Ogangah as the new Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
She takes over for a six-year term following the passing of Roseline Odede in January 2025.
Before her appointment, Ogangah was the Deputy Country Representative and Human Rights Specialist at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The appointments come after approvals by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, marking a fresh round of leadership realignments as Kenya prepares for upcoming by-elections and broader institutional reforms.
