Succession Process Underway

NAIROBI – The process to appoint a new leadership team for the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is officially underway, following a gazette notice from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. Contrary to initial reports suggesting a disbandment, the NCIC has clarified that the tenure of the current chairperson and seven commissioners is naturally concluding. In a statement issued on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, NCIC Chairperson Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia affirmed that the commission remains fully operational. He stated that recent media reports alleging the commission was disbanded were “incorrect, misleading and a misrepresentation of the facts.”

Mandated Term Conclusion

The current commissioners, led by Rev. Dr. Kobia, assumed office on Tuesday, 19th November 2019, for a single, non-renewable six-year term as stipulated by the National Cohesion and Integration Act of 2008 and Article 250(6) of the Constitution. Their term is set to officially end on Monday, 17th November 2025. The commission is now preparing a comprehensive handover report for President William Samoei Ruto, who is the appointing authority.

New Selection Panel Gazetted

In a gazette notice dated Tuesday, 4th November 2025, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen formally declared the impending vacancies and constituted a selection panel to oversee the recruitment of the next chairperson and seven commissioners. This action is in accordance with Section 17 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act. The six-member panel appointed to manage the recruitment process includes Dr. Reuben Chirchir, Francis Meja, Pauline Mcharo, Col. (Rtd.) Alfred Mshimba, Michael Nzomo Mbithuka, and Lady Justice (Rtd.) Hannah Okwengu.

Context of Transition

The leadership transition comes at a time when the NCIC has faced heightened scrutiny. On Monday, 3rd November 2025, members of the Senate expressed frustration with what they termed the commission's ineffectiveness in curbing a recent surge in hate speech and ethnic profiling, particularly on online platforms. Senators threatened to push for the transfer of the NCIC's mandate to other state agencies, warning that inaction on inflammatory rhetoric could jeopardize national stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. The NCIC, established in the wake of the 2007-2008 post-election violence, is the primary state agency tasked with promoting national unity, preventing ethnic discrimination, and prosecuting hate speech.

The Path Forward

The newly formed selection panel is mandated to advertise the vacancies, shortlist qualified candidates, and forward the names to the President for appointment. This process is critical for ensuring continuity in the commission's work of fostering peaceful coexistence among Kenya's diverse communities. Stakeholders in civil society and international partners have called for a transparent and credible appointment process to maintain public confidence in the institution's vital role in national stability. The incoming commission will inherit the ongoing challenge of managing ethnic tensions and combating hate speech in a dynamic political landscape.