The ORPP fraternity on 13th October, held multi-heartly sessions in a day, to warmly welcome the newly inaugurated Registrar, Mr. John Cox Lorionokou and Assistant Registrar,CS Agatha Wahome. The events were:
- Oath of Office at Supreme Court
- Official handover
- Engagement with staff
- HQ office tour
The handover and luncheon provided an opportunity for staff to engage the leadership; meet and provide preliminary briefs on their respective functions and get a glimpse of ORPP’s rich history, key milestones and its strategic priorities.
“It is my divine opportunity to lead in serving the people”, John Cox Lorionokou after Oath as the 4th Registrar of Political Parties.
“Our paths are drawn. We are here to serve all our stakeholders, harnessing the diverse skills, expertise, and experiences we collectively harbour as ORPP”, Registrar said.
“I’m grateful that even during the transition, the Office operated seamlessly, guided by its Strategic Plan and annual work plans.
We are coming in to build on the great milestones already achieved”, while appreciating her predecessor ,Sophia Sitati.”I will continue to hold to high esteem the ORPP brand as we keep engaging”, said outgoing Registrar Sophia Sitati.
In her free flowing Swahili,Assistant Registrar CPA Florence Birya termed the day as momentous.
“It is a moment for renewal, infuse fresh perspectives, and shared reflection as an Office. We will continue evolving to meet the demands of the dynamic political landscape, even as we consolidate our gains and chart the next frontier”,Birya urged.
Her counterpart, Assistant Registrar Ali Abdullahi underscored the legal and institutional importance of the transition, emphasizing its role in upholding continuity and governance standards. “This is a historical day as ORPP apex leadership is fully constituted with the Registrar And 3 Assistant Registrars- in its history. Ours is to celebrate and offer the best support to the existing and new team”, urged Ali.
Newly appointed Assistant Registrar, CS Agatha Wahome, recounted the long history with ORPP prior to her appointment, calling for the team’s forward-looking approach.
“I invite us to learn, innovate, and grow together,while embracing the concept of the ‘compounding effect’ as we move forward”, CS Wahome said.
Preceding the handover and engagement was a brief swearing-in of the new leadership at the Supreme Court of Kenya, presided over by Chief Justice Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome, who underscored the critical role of ORPP in safeguarding and championing democracy.
“The ORPP is a vital independent Office for the preservation and growth of multi-partism. I urge the leadership to ensure diversity and political participation for a cohesive and stronger democracy in our country”, the CJ said.
“I further implore on ORPP to instill a culture of accountability and inclusivity, urging political parties to uphold the sanctity and standards of democratic processes, particularly as the nation prepares for the November By-Elections and the 2027 General Elections”, she said ,sentiments echoed by other top government officials present.
In the engagement, to which field officers participated virtually, staff showcased their diverse prowess in speeches, poems, events moderation among other masterpieces.
The staff welcomed the new leadership with a commitment to continue shining in their service delivery under the stewardship of the Registrar.