The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is set to establish 10 regional offices in a bid to bring services closer to the people and expedite discharge of commission functions.
NCIC Chairperson Dr. Samuel Kobia said the regional offices to be established in the former eight provinces will also ease the unnecessary need for Kenyans to depend on the Nairobi based national offices.
“The regional offices we are going to establish in former provinces will enhance delivery of our mandate to Kenyans including promoting harmony and peaceful existence,” added Dr. Kobia.
The chairperson was speaking in Mombasa during a peace building conference of church leaders under the Council of Bishops, Coast Region attended by over 1000 clergy from different denominations.
He affirmed that the commission is committed to ensuring the country has a cohesive and patriotic society.
He further reiterated that the regional offices will be established before the commencement of the 2022 General Election in order to help increase in the monitoring of hate speech and violence throughout the electioneering period.
Dr. Kobia urged Kenyans to shun divisive politics and avert the country from plunging into serious social, economic and political challenges.
The chairperson said the commission’s regional office for the coast region will be domiciled within Mombasa County and will be in charge of other five counties including Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu.
He added that the NCIC regional center for the former North Eastern province, which comprises Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties, will be based in Garissa Township.
The Western NCIC regional center will be located in Kakamega town to oversee activities in Bungoma, Vihinga and Busia counties.
The Nyanza NCIC regional center will be based in Kisumu covering Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisii and Nyamira counties.
However, the former Eastern and Rift Valley provinces will each have two regional NCIC centers.
Dr. Kobia indicated that the lower eastern commission offices will be established in Isiolo county, while the upper eastern offices will be in Kitui county.
Turkana County’s Lodwar town will host upper Rift Valley offices with the lower Rift Valley NCIC regional center being established in Nakuru County.
He further indicated that the ten regional centers will coordinate the commission’s activities to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.
The chairperson warned politicians who incite Kenyans, especially in rural areas to be ready to face severe punishment, saying the regional offices will have representatives and agents at every corner of the country.
“We shall be working with all stakeholders to ensure we create a cohesive society by punishing those who incite our people,” Dr. Kobia added.
By Galgalo Bocha and Riziki Tokal
