Ruto Nominates New NCIC Chairperson and Seven Commissioners

President William Ruto has nominated the Chairperson and seven commissioners of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

In a notice signed by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei and shared on Friday, April 10, State House announced the nomination of Kepha Nyamweya Omae as the Commission’s Chairperson. 

The nominees who will be appointed to serve as the Chairperson and Members of the Commission subject to Parliamentary approval.

“His Excellency the President has this morning caused nominations to the ranks of the membership of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC),” read the notice in part.

These nominations have been made in accordance with the recommendations of the Selection Panel appointed to recruit and recommend suitable candidates for appointment to the Commission.”

Ruto Nominates Bishop Kepha Omae as Chairperson of NCIC

Ruto nominated Kepha Nyamweya Omae to be the chairperson on the commission.

Also Read: Public Service Commission Declares All NCIC Positions Vacant

Nyamweya is a senior pastor at Liberty Christian Center, an ordained minister of the Redeemed Gospel Church Inc, and serves as the church’s presiding bishop.

The nominated members include Josphine Kirion Eragae from Isiolo, Joseph K. Nguyo from Nyeri, Jackson Swadi Kedogo from Vihiga, and Dr. Samuel Mwachiro Mwawasi from Taita Taveta.

Additionally, Irene Chepoisho Tulel from West Pokot, Hassan Billow Ahmed from Wajir, and Jerusah Mwaathime Michael from Kitui have also been nominated.

In light of the Commission’s consequential mandate to foster national cohesion and unity, as well as to advance peaceful coexistence by confronting ethnic discrimination and hate speech, the Head of State and Government urged the National Assembly to accord these nominations priority consideration.

The nominations comes after Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen in November last year, announced vacancies in the leadership of the NCIC, one day after senators threatened to transfer the commission’s mandate to other agencies for failing to curb hate speech.

The CS declared vacancies in the NCIC after the outgoing chairperson Rev Samuel Kobia, and seven members completed their six-year, non-renewable terms. Their terms end on November 17, 2025.

He constituted a Selection Panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

Also Read: Shortlisted Candidates for NCIC Jobs Published After 719 Applications

NCIC Shortlisted Candidates

Following this, the Selection Panel shortlisted 13 candidates for the Chairperson position and 98 for Member roles as part of the ongoing reconstitution of the commission.  

In a statement on February 20, the panel chair, Reuben Chirchir, reported that 79 people had applied for the Chairperson position, while 640 individuals sought appointment as NCIC Members before the February 13, 2026, deadline.

He explained that only candidates meeting all constitutional, academic, and integrity requirements were shortlisted for the interview stage.

The interview process for the NCIC chairperson and members was then scheduled to begin on March 2 and continue through March 19, 2026.

It began with candidates for the chairperson’s position, with six interviewed on March 2 and the remaining seven on March 3.

Subsequently, interviews for member candidates were held from March 4 to March 19, with eight candidates interviewed on the first and last days, and nine candidates interviewed daily from March 5 to March 18.