This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
On October 24, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta made headlines with his nomination of Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, a 72-year-old retired reverend, to chair the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Dr. Kobia's nomination comes at a time when the country is grappling with high unemployment rates among the youth. His appointment has sparked concerns that the President is prioritizing older individuals over younger, more qualified candidates.
The NCIC is a statutory body established under the National Cohesion and Integration Act of 2008. Its primary role is to promote peace, cohesion, and sustainable development in the country by flagging ill ethnic utterances that have the potential to spark tribal clashes.
The commission is expected to be led by Dr. Kobia, who will take over from Ole Kaparo, whose term ended in August 2018. The President has also nominated other individuals, including Philip Onkundi, Dorcas Kedogo, and Fatuma Tanyara, to sit in the commission.
The nominees are expected to be tabled before the National Assembly for approval before taking over from the former team.
