President William Ruto has nominated Bishop Kepha Nyamweya Omae to serve as the Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). The announcement, made by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Friday morning, marks a complete overhaul of the commission’s leadership following the expiry of the previous commissioners’ terms in November 2025.
Bishop Omae, a senior pastor at the Liberty Christian Centre and a presiding bishop of the Redeemed Gospel Church, is set to succeed Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia. His nomination follows a rigorous three-month recruitment process that saw over 700 applicants vying for the leadership of the statutory body mandated to combat hate speech and ethnic discrimination.
The New NCIC Lineup
Alongside the Chairperson, the President has nominated seven commissioners representing a diverse geographical spread across Kenya. The nominees include:
- Ms. Josphine Kirion Eragae (Isiolo)
- Mr. Joseph K. Nguyo (Nyeri)
- Mr. Jackson Swadi Kedogo (Vihiga)
- Dr. Samuel Mwachiro Mwawasi (Taita Taveta)
- Ms. Irene Chepoisho Tulel, HSC (West Pokot)
- Mr. Hassan Billow Ahmed (Wajir)
- Ms. Jerusah Mwaathime Michael (Kitui)
Vetting and Urgency
The names have been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting and approval. Felix Koskei urged Parliament to prioritize the process, citing the “consequential mandate” of the commission as political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“In light of the Commission’s mandate to foster national cohesion and unity as well as advance peaceful coexistence by confronting ethnic discrimination and hate speech, the Head of State urges the National Assembly to accord these nominations consideration on a priority basis,” Koskei stated.
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Context of the Nominations
The NCIC has been operating without a full bench of commissioners since November 17, 2025, when the six-year non-renewable terms of the Samuel Kobia-led team expired. The recruitment was managed by a selection panel led by Dr. Reuben Chirchir, which conducted interviews throughout March 2026.
The new commission will be stepping into office at a critical time. In recent months, monitoring reports have flagged an uptick in inflammatory rhetoric on social media platforms. The incoming team will be expected to revitalize the commission’s mediation and enforcement efforts to ensure the 2027 electoral cycle remains peaceful.
If approved, Bishop Omae will lead the commission for a single, non-renewable six-year term. His background in the clergy and peace-building initiatives is seen as a strategic fit for an organization that relies heavily on moral authority and community engagement to resolve deep-seated ethnic tensions.
