Dadaab Member of Parliament, Farah Maalim, has called for the immediate disbandment of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), accusing the body of deviating from its original mandate and failing to uphold ethnic balance within Kenya’s public sector.
Maalim, a vocal critic of the commission, contended that the NCIC, established to foster national unity and monitor ethnic representation in government, has become one of the most segregated institutions in the country. “NCIC should be disbanded as soon as possible. The body was mooted with the express purpose of integrating Kenyans. One of the principal roles was to act as a watchdog for ethnic balance in the public sector,” he asserted.
In his statement, Maalim claimed that the leadership of the NCIC, including its Chair, Vice Chair, CEO, CFO, and Head of Human Resources, as well as over 70% of its Principal Officers, are drawn from a single community, undermining the commission’s mandate. “NCIC is the most segregated institution in Kenya today,” he remarked.
The MP further alleged that the NCIC has lost sight of its founding mission, suggesting that its top officials enjoy immunity from accountability. “It has lost its founding purpose. No one should be above or below the law, yet many top officials are untouchable,” he stated.
Maalim also criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of consistently violating cohesion rules without facing repercussions from the NCIC. “DP Gachagua can flout basic cohesion rules with impunity, without fear of legal consequences,” Maalim argued.
In his concluding remarks, Maalim insisted that the NCIC itself must undergo reform and integration before it can effectively serve as a national watchdog for cohesion. “NCIC has to be integrated before it can serve as an effective watchdog for integration,” he added.
