The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) plans to advocate for the renaming of several counties to eliminate potential discrimination along ethnic lines, the peace watchdog revealed in a wide-ranging statement on Monday.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the Commission’s chairman, said NCIC would table a motion in parliament proposing the renaming of counties identified by specific ethnic groups, including Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nandi, Kisii, Turkana, Embu, Samburu, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
“In the implementation of the recommendations of our Ethnic and Diversity Audit 2023 for County Public Service, NCIC shall advocate for tabling of a motion in parliament for renaming counties that are identified by specific ethnic groups to eliminate potential discrimination along ethnic lines,” Dr. Kobia stated during the Commission’s mid-year review.
The proposed move is part of the NCIC’s efforts to promote inclusivity and social cohesion in the East African nation, which has experienced periodic ethnic tensions, particularly during election cycles. “We are committed to ensuring Kenya remains a peaceful society and that the gains made over the last many years are solidified,” Dr. Kobia added.
The Commission highlighted several other challenges facing the country’s cohesion, including the devastating impact of floods that have displaced families and disrupted lives, the re-emergence of organized criminal gangs posing a “severe threat” to peace, rising insecurity and banditry attacks, terrorism, hate speech, and ethnic contempt.
Dr. Kobia said 67 hate speech cases were received by the NCIC, with 43 under investigation, two before courts, 13 concluded, and 13 others conciliated. On social media, the Commission flagged 268 cases related to discrimination, incitement, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation.
Boundary disputes stemming from Kenya’s devolution process were also cited as a major concern. The NCIC estimated that 33 of the 47 counties have boundary conflicts, which it said risked translating into ethnic tensions given most counties were created along ethnic lines.
“We have mapped out boundary disputes along Kericho-Kisumu; Isiolo-Meru; Turkana-Baringo-West Pokot; Kitui-Tana River; Makueni-Taita Taveta; Kisii-Nyamira; Kwale-Kilifi; Kisumu-Nandi; Kisumu-Vihiga; and Migori-Narok counties,” said Dr. Kobia. He added the NCIC was working with the National Survey of Kenya to demarcate the boundaries clearly.
The Commission has also initiated interventions like the “Peace to the City” program targeting vulnerable youth in major towns and the “Sondu Border Initiative” – a model for resolving the Kericho-Kisumu boundary dispute through dialogue, a peace park, and border beaconing.
Dr. Kobia announced the Commission had commissioned a new Social Cohesion Index study to assess the state of unity, with the report expected in six months. The last index was published in 2013.
