Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya Omae has officially taken oath of office as the new chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), succeeding long-serving former chairperson Rev Dr Samuel Kobia at a time he described as “a sensitive moment” in Kenya’s national life.
Omae takes over leadership of the cohesion commission at a politically charged period, with the agency expected to play a critical role in monitoring hate speech, mediating conflicts and fostering peaceful coexistence ahead of the next General Election.
Speaking after taking the oath, Omae said his appointment marked a defining moment not only for him personally, but also for the commission and the country at large, as Kenya grapples with rising political tensions and concerns over ethnic division ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“This appointment is a defining moment not just for me as the chair of NCIC, but for the entire commission and the nation,” Omae said.
He pledged to serve the country with integrity and commitment, saying the commission would remain steadfast in promoting peace, justice and national unity.
“I commit to serve with integrity, courage and fidelity to the values that bind us together as a nation — peace, justice and unity,” he said.
The new NCIC chairperson thanked President William Ruto for entrusting him and the commission’s team with the responsibility of steering the cohesion agency.
He also expressed gratitude to Parliament and the selection panel that oversaw the recruitment process.
Omae, however, warned that Kenya continues to face deep-rooted ethnic, political and social divisions that threaten national cohesion if left unchecked.
“We must confront the truth that our nation still bears the scars of ethnic, political and social divisions which threaten the fabric of our shared identity,” he said.
He vowed that the commission would intensify efforts to unite Kenyans at the national, county and grassroots levels.
“We will do our best to unite the country at the national, county and grassroots level. The work before us is not ordinary, it is sacred. It is about healing Kenya. We shall not waver,” Omae stated.
The NCIC chairperson noted that the country was experiencing worrying trends that could undermine peace and stability if leaders and citizens fail to act early.
“We assume office at a sensitive moment in our national life. Recent events are a reminder that national cohesion cannot wait for an election year,” he said.
“When a citizen is attacked because of political association, when politicians are attacked by organised groups, when public speech becomes reckless, when local conflicts over land and water are allowed to escalate, these are not isolated matters but early warning signs that must be confronted early.”
He cautioned politicians against using divisive rhetoric and stressed that political competition should never come at the expense of lives.
“No election, no office, no ambition is worth the blood of a Kenyan,” Omae declared.
Calling on citizens to support the commission’s efforts, the chairperson said peace building requires collective responsibility from all sectors of society.
“I ask Kenyans to walk with us. Peace building is a deliberate and dynamic process that calls for consistent and collaborative effort,” he said.
Omae also urged Parliament to fast-track the enactment of the proposed NCIC Act 2026 and align it fully with the Constitution to strengthen the commission’s mandate.
“To achieve our mandate, Parliament should fast-track the enactment of the NCIC Act 2026 and align it with the Constitution,” he said.
At the same time, he commended the Judiciary for establishing special courts to handle hate speech-related cases, saying the move would help curb inflammatory politics and promote accountability.
“As we approach 2027, I call for restraint and reject utterances that divide our people. Freedom of expression must never become a weapon against our unity,” he said.
