House team approves Kobia, 7 others to cohesion body
Members of the National Assembly yesterday approved President Uhuru Kenyatta’s eight nominees to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The names of Samuel Kobia for the commission chair and commissioners - former MPs Philip Okundi (Rangwe), Abdulaziz Farah (Mandera East) and Dorcas Kedogo (Vihiga) as well as Danvas Makori, Peris Nyuttu, Fatuma Tabwara and former Kerio Valley Development Authority board chair Samuel Kona - will be forwarded to the president for appointment.
Kobia will be replacing Francis ole Kaparo whose term has expired.
A report tabled in the parliament by National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee, chaired by Maina Kamanda, reads; “Having conducted the hearings, the committee recommends the House approves the nominees for appointment as chair and members of the commission.”
The eight nominees’ net worthy was put at Sh595 million - Okundi (Sh200 million), Kona (Sh170 million) and Kobia (Sh87.5 million). Kedogo is worth Sh50 million, Makori (Sh35 milliom), Farah (Sh23.7 million), Nyutu (Sh23 million) and Suleiman (Sh5.8 million).
While approving the nomination, MPs told the team to deal with ethnic tension that has been building up in the country especially after heated exchanges between politicians over the just-concluded Kibra by-election.
The legislators told the members to help restore peace in the country.
According to the MPs, the outgoing team had not done enough in lie with its mandate.
Leader of Majority Aden Duale and his Minority counterpart John Mbadi told politicians to stop making divisive utterances. “Please let’s watch our tongues as leaders. Regardless of our political affiliation, we represent the people of Kenya.”
Mbadi said it was unfortunate that women leaders were now behaving like their male counterparts in perpetuating hatred. “Many of us were disappointed by the Kaparo’s team. I don’t think there is something we gain by setting communities against each other. There is also nothing to gain by insulting each other,” he said.
Mwea MP Kabinga Wachira said as of now only NCIC can be able to deal with the tensions growing in the country especially after the Kibra by-election.
