President William Ruto has made key appointments to two vital governance institutions in a continued effort to bolster transparency and accountability in public service.
In a statement released on Friday, August 15, by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the President nominated Claris Awour Onganga as the new Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
This nomination comes just days after Dr. Duncan Oburu Ojwang’ declined the role, prompting the need for a fresh appointment.
Onganga’s nomination, if approved, positions her at the helm of one of Kenya’s foremost human rights watchdogs, a critical institution tasked with promoting and protecting human rights for all citizens.
Additionally, President Ruto nominated John Cox Lorionokou as the new Registrar of Political Parties, succeeding Sophia Sitati, who has been serving in an acting capacity.
Sitati stepped into the role temporarily following the elevation of Ann Nderitu to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as a commissioner.
In further restructuring within the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, Agatha Wanjiku Wahome has been nominated as the Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, a move seen as part of the President’s broader plan to strengthen the country’s electoral and political systems.
“The President has formally transmitted these nominations to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, as required by law,” the statement read.
The National Assembly will now vet the nominees before they can officially assume their respective positions.
These nominations come amidst a broader government reshuffle, which this week also saw former Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore nominated as ambassador, signaling a push by the Ruto administration to refresh leadership in key institutions.
As Kenya prepares for upcoming local and regional political developments, the appointments are expected to have significant influence on governance and electoral integrity, particularly as the country intensifies preparations for future elections.
