Ruto Picks Bishop Kepha Omae to Lead NCIC as New Team Awaits Vetting
President William Ruto has nominated Bishop Kepha Nyamweya Omae to serve as the next Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), with the appointment now awaiting approval by the National Assembly.
The nomination, announced on Friday by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, also included seven new commissioners who are expected to help steer the commission during a politically sensitive period ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to the statement from the Executive Office, the names were forwarded to Parliament after recommendations from a selection panel that had been tasked with identifying qualified candidates for the vacant positions.
Koskei confirmed that the National Assembly has already been formally notified so that the vetting and approval process can begin as soon as possible.
The government has urged MPs to give the nominations priority, citing the commission’s critical responsibility in preserving peace, national unity, and social harmony across the country.
The President’s decision comes at a time when the political atmosphere in Kenya is steadily heating up as the country edges closer to the 2027 elections.
In recent months, political leaders have increasingly exchanged sharp personal attacks and divisive statements, creating concern over the possible rise of ethnic tension and hate speech.
This is the kind of environment where the NCIC is expected to play a stronger and more visible role by promoting tolerance, addressing inflammatory rhetoric, and encouraging peaceful coexistence among communities.
Bishop Kepha Omae is widely known in church leadership circles as a senior pastor at Liberty Christian Center.
He is also an ordained minister under the Redeemed Gospel Church and currently serves as the church’s presiding bishop.
His nomination places a religious leader with a strong background in community engagement at the helm of one of Kenya’s most important institutions for national unity.
The seven individuals nominated to serve as members of the commission are Josphine Kirion Eragae, Joseph K. Nguyo, Jackson Swadi Kedogo, Samuel Mwachiro Mwawasi, Irene Chepoisho Tulel, Hassan Billow Ahmed, and Jerusah Mwaathime Michael.
If Parliament approves them, they will form the new leadership team that will guide the statutory body through the coming political season, a period expected to test the country’s unity and democratic maturity.
Among the nominees, Josphine Kirion Eragae brings significant experience in public service and development coordination.
In 2025, she was appointed by the Office of the Deputy President as Director of the International Development Partnership Coordination Unit, where she was responsible for managing Kenya’s engagement with development partners from across the world.
Before that, she served as the County Executive Committee Member for Education and Sports in the Isiolo County Government, giving her additional governance and leadership experience.
If approved, Bishop Omae and the seven commissioners will take over from the outgoing team led by Reverend Samuel Kobia, whose six-year non-renewable term came to an end in November 2025.
Their appointment will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the commission at a time when expectations are high for stronger action against ethnic discrimination, political incitement, and hate speech.
The NCIC remains one of Kenya’s key institutions in safeguarding national stability. Its mandate includes promoting equality of opportunity, strengthening national cohesion, and ensuring peaceful coexistence among the country’s diverse ethnic, racial, and religious communities.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the incoming leadership is likely to face immediate pressure to remain firm, impartial, and proactive in keeping the country united.
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