Kenya’s political fault lines have deepened after a senior ally of President William Ruto openly accused the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties of gross illegality.
The row follows the controversial approval of Sonko’s new party, a move critics say mocks the Constitution and rewards leaders previously thrown out of office through impeachment. With the 2027 General Election already shaping political alignments, the decision has ignited fierce debate about integrity, accountability, and whether state institutions are bending the law for politically connected figures.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has now demanded legal action against Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou, accusing his office of rubber-stamping unconstitutional political projects and undermining Chapter Six on leadership and integrity.
Sonko’s New Party Approval Exposes Gaps in Leadership Integrity Enforcement
At the center of the storm is Sonko’s new party, the National Economic Development Party NEDP, which was officially registered by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties on Tuesday, December 10. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko received a certificate of registration, granting the party full legal status to field candidates in by-elections nationwide.
Cherargei, speaking on Wednesday, December 10, questioned how an impeached former governor could be cleared to lead or influence a political party. He argued that impeachment is not a ceremonial slap on the wrist but a serious constitutional sanction meant to bar individuals from leadership positions.
According to the senator, the registrar has ignored clear constitutional principles by allowing impeached leaders to occupy senior party roles. He insisted that political freedoms, while protected by the Constitution, do not override the integrity thresholds imposed on those found unfit to hold public office.
Cherargei directly accused Registrar John Cox Lorionokou of contravening the Constitution and called for his actions to be scrutinized in court. He described the approval of Sonko’s New Party as illegal, unconstitutional, and a corruption of leadership standards.
Why Cherargei Says Impeached Leaders Cannot Run Parties
Cherargei’s argument hinges on Chapter Six of the Constitution, which outlines leadership and integrity standards. He stated that once a leader is impeached, they lose the moral and legal authority to run political institutions, including parties that shape national governance.
He lumped Sonko together with other impeached figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. In his view, allowing such leaders to form or head parties opens the door for discredited politicians to recycle themselves into power.
“The Constitution guarantees political freedom, but that freedom is not absolute,” Cherargei said, arguing that impeachment removes the locus standi required to lead political organizations. He maintained that political parties are not private clubs but public vehicles that directly affect governance and public trust.
By approving Sonko’s New Party, Cherargei claimed the registrar effectively nullified the consequences of impeachment and weakened constitutional accountability.
Registrar Under Fire Over Selective Application of the Law
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties defended its decision by pointing to compliance with the Political Parties Act. The approval of Sonko’s New Party suggests that the party met all administrative and legal requirements required for registration.
However, Cherargei dismissed this explanation, arguing that procedural compliance cannot override constitutional principles. He accused the registrar of selectively interpreting the law and ignoring integrity concerns when politically influential figures are involved.
John Cox Lorionokou, recently nominated as the next Registrar of Political Parties, now finds himself under intense public scrutiny. Critics argue that the office has reduced its role to paperwork verification while abandoning its duty to safeguard constitutional values.
For Cherargei, this is not a technical mistake but a deliberate failure that demands accountability through legal action.
Sonko’s New Party and the 2027 Political Calculations
Despite the controversy, Sonko has openly celebrated the registration of Sonko’s New Party. On his social media platforms, he confirmed that the National Economic Development Party is now authorized to field candidates in by-elections across the country.
Political analysts view the party as Sonko’s vehicle to revive his national relevance ahead of the 2027 General Election. Reports indicate that he is expected to be formally installed as party leader in early 2026, a move likely to intensify legal and political battles.
The uproar surrounding Sonko’s New Party has reignited a broader debate on whether Kenya’s institutions are serious about enforcing integrity standards or merely paying lip service to them. If impeached leaders can easily return through party politics, critics warn that impeachment loses its deterrent power.
As pressure mounts on the Registrar of Political Parties, the unfolding dispute may set a defining precedent on the limits of political freedom and the true cost of impeachment in Kenya’s democracy.
