Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has once again placed the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at the centre of a national debate after questioning how several well-known political figures who were previously impeached are now allowed to run or form political parties.
His remarks came after John Cox, the Registrar of Political Parties, approved the registration of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s new outfit, the National Economic Development Party, a move that immediately attracted sharp criticism from the senator.
Cherargei said the approval of Sonko’s party raised serious legal and ethical questions. He argued that although the constitution protects political freedoms, it does not give room for leaders who were removed from office through impeachment to return to the political scene as party founders or party bosses.
To him, this creates a direct conflict with the chapter on leadership and integrity, which sets standards that public officers and leaders must uphold. He insisted that the Registrar should be held responsible for enabling what he believes is a violation of the law.
The senator included Sonko, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu in this list. All three were impeached at different times, and Cherargei believes this disqualifies them from holding positions within any political party.
He argued that allowing them to lead or register new parties goes against the spirit of accountability and clean leadership that impeachment was designed to uphold.
He maintained that the decisions made by the Registrar are unlawful and amount to weakening the country’s governance standards.
Cherargei also questioned how officials who have been impeached were cleared as party leaders without the Registrar addressing their past issues. He described the approvals as illegal, unconstitutional, and an act that could undermine trust in political institutions.
His concern is that such decisions may set a precedent where impeachment carries no real consequences, allowing leaders to quickly rebrand themselves and return to politics without reflecting on the reasons they were removed from office.
Waititu is already the leader of the Farmers Party, having taken charge earlier in 2025. Gachagua is associated with the Democracy for the Citizens Party, launched in May 2025.
Sonko’s new party, which was approved on December 10, is his latest attempt to rebuild his political career ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ORPP’s approval indicates that he has met all the administrative requirements under the Political Parties Act, and reports suggest he will be formally installed as party leader in early 2026.
Sonko expressed confidence after receiving the certificate, saying his party is now authorised to field candidates in any by-election.
