The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has announced plans to file a petition before parliament seeking the renaming of ten counties in the country.
According to the Commision, the ten counties named after ethnic groups could have their names changed should the planned petition by NCIC succeed.
NCIC chairperson Reverend Samuel Kobia on Monday May 27, 2024, made the announcement during a press briefing, discussing the state of peace and cohesion in Kenya.
According to Kobia, renaming counties that are currently named after specific ethnic groups will eliminate potential discrimination along ethnic lines which the commission aims at achieving.
![NCIC Announces Plan to Rename Counties with Ethnic Names](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/05/NCIC-Chairperson-Reverend-Samuel-Kobia-e1716887169618-750x375.jpg)
The move, the NCIC added, will also eliminate potential discrimination of people coming from minor ethnic groups who live in these counties.
Counties set to be renamed
The counties targeted by the commission are Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Turkana, Nandi, Kisii, Embu, Samburu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Taita-Taveta, and West Pokot.
Also Read: Embu Governor Reveals Next Step After Two Counties Banned Muguka Sale
“NCIC shall advocate for the tabling of a motion in parliament for renaming counties that are identified by specific ethnic groups to eliminate potential discrimination along ethnic lines. We are committed to ensuring Kenya remains a peaceful society and that the gains made over the last many years are solidified,” Kobia said.
According to the commission, the renaming will ensure every Kenyan feels welcome and safe regardless of their ethnic background while staying in any part of the country.
Reverend Kobia was speaking during the release of a report on the state of peace and cohesion in the country where NCIC said that one of the biggest challenges to peace and cohesion in Kenya is devolution and boundary disputes.
The commission said that it had identified land and boundary disputes as perennial sources of conflict in Kenya over time.
NCIC in its report estimated that 33 out of the 47 counties have boundary-related disputes, adding that these conflicts easily translate into ethnic conflicts due to the counties being created along ethnic lines.
Also Read: Revealed: 10 Counties Spending Too Much on Employee Salaries
“We estimate that 33 out of the 47 counties have boundary-related conflicts. Given that most of the counties have been created along ethnic lines boundary conflict easily translates into ethnic conflict,” Kobia stated.
NCIC on Boundary Disputes & Crime
The commission has mapped out boundary disputes between counties such as Kericho-Kisumu, Isiolo-Meru, Turkana- Baringo- West Pokot, Kitui-Tana River, and Makueni-Taita-Taveta, among others.
According to the commission, renaming of counties is among the measures and solutions it believes will help curb the recurring menace.
Kobia emphasized the NCIC’s commitment to ensuring the gains made over the last many years are solidified and that Kenya remains a peaceful society.
“We are committed to ensuring Kenya remains a peaceful society and that the gains made over the last many years are solidified,” he said.
During the same event, the commission launched The Peace to the City program to curb organized armed youth criminal gangs nationwide.
The Initiative focuses on the counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru which will host the Vulnerable Youth Summit in July 2024.
Reverend Kobia expressed concern over the resurgence of organized criminal gangs in certain areas of the country, highlighting the urgency for decisive action.
“While it is true that this social phenomenon of young people is a result of lack of formal employment their regrouping and engagement in criminal acts poses a threat to the fragile social cohesion fabric,” Kobia said.
Kobia observed that organized criminal gangs present a significant threat to peace, unity, and stability in Kenya, as well as to national security if left unchecked.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
![NCIC Announces Plan to Rename Counties with Ethnic Names](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/05/NCIC-Board-at-a-past-event-750x375.jpg)