Parliament Vets Nominees For Political Parties Registrar And KNCHR

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of the National Assembly has completed approval hearings for three nominees to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

The session, chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara, vetted John Cox Lorionokou for the position of Registrar of Political Parties, Agatha Wanjiku Wahome for Assistant Registrar, and Claris Awuor Ogangah for Chairperson of the KNCHR.

Ogangah was the first to face the committee. Lawmakers questioned her on how she plans to work with other institutions that safeguard human rights, avoid duplication of roles, and involve young people in human rights discourse. They also pressed her on how she would tackle sensitive issues such as gender-based violence, femicide, inequality, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedoms.

“For human rights for all to be effective you must be prepared to ruffle feathers and challenge the status quo. How prepared are you to confront the powers that be for KNCHR to be effective?” asked Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

In response, Ogangah promised to lead by example, stressing the importance of dialogue and collaboration.
“Human rights is not an abstract issue that simply focuses on civil rights only. For it to be effective, there is need for involvement of human rights in the development agenda of the country,” she said.

The committee then vetted Lorionokou, who was questioned on how he would enforce compliance with the Political Parties Act. Kanduyi MP John Makali asked him how he plans to deal with “briefcase parties that only pop up during the election period.”

Lawmakers also sought assurances on his handling of the Political Parties Fund, stressing the need for transparency, fairness, and accountability in the distribution of resources and in the management of party nominations.

Agatha Wanjiku Wahome, appearing as the nominee for Assistant Registrar, was tasked with explaining how she would support regulatory oversight, promote fairness in nominations, and enforce compliance among political parties.

The committee is now expected to compile a report on the three nominees and present it to the House for debate and approval.