Ruto nominates Kepha Omae as NCIC chairperson, seven others for commission roles
News Updated: 10 April 2026 18:09 EAT
President William Ruto ha nominated the Kepha Nyamweya Omae as the Chairperson of NCIC and seven members, subject to parliamentary approval.
President William Ruto has nominated Kepha Nyamweya Omae as the new chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), alongside seven individuals proposed as commission members, in changes now awaiting parliamentary approval.
The nominations were forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting, with lawmakers expected to review the suitability of the candidates before any formal appointments are made.
Omae, a senior church leader and presiding bishop in the Redeemed Gospel Church, has been picked to head the key state agency responsible for promoting national unity and addressing ethnic tensions.
If approved, he will succeed Samuel Kobia, whose tenure at the commission came to an end in 2025 after serving the full term allowed under the law.
Alongside him, seven nominees have been proposed as members of the commission. They include Josephine Kirion Eragae, Joseph K. Nguyo, Jackson Swadi Kedogo, Samuel Mwachiro Mwawasi, Irene Chepoisho Tulel, Hassan Billow Ahmed and Jerusah Mwaathime Michael.
The government says the selection followed recommendations from a panel tasked with identifying suitable candidates for leadership positions within the commission.
The NCIC plays a central role in promoting national cohesion, preventing discrimination, and addressing hate speech across Kenya’s diverse communities.
The new team, if approved, will take office at a politically sensitive period as the country continues to grapple with ethnic and political tensions ahead of future elections.
Under the law, the NCIC chairperson serves a single non-renewable six-year term and must meet qualifications comparable to those of a High Court judge.
Parliament is now expected to begin the vetting process in the coming days, which will determine whether the nominees are formally appointed to the commission.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD