Kaparo in shortlist to fill NCIC positions

Former Speaker of Parliament Francis ole Kaparo is among 15 people shortlisted to fill positions in the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.

Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee picked the 15 out of the 32 candidates interviewed for the positions.

Committee chairperson Mr Samuel Chepkonga on Tuesday tabled the committee’s report, which followed a two-day interview process.

Also shortlisted are former NCIC vice chairperson Ms Milly Lwanga and former commissioner Alice Wairimu Nderitu.

Others are former MP Morris Dzoro, Ms Rose Macharia Mghoi, Dr Roba Sharamo, Ms Anne Munyiva Kyalo, Ms Irene Njeri Wanyoike, Mr Adan Abdi Mohamed, Ms Alasa Osman Hirisi, Mr Eric Oluoch Ogwang, Ms Belinda Akoth Ochiel, Ms Irene Masit, Dr Joseph Wamocha Nasongo and Prof Gitile Naituli.

The names will now have to be endorsed by Parliament and forwarded to the President, who will appoint eight out of the 15.

LEFT OUT

Ms Tecla Namachanja, the former vice chairperson of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) was among those left out by the parliamentary team.

Members of the committee took Ms Namachanja to task over the work of TJRC and the wrangles that existed between the commissioners and the chairperson.

Apart from academic and professional qualifications, the committee also considered candidates’ knowledge of the NCIC Act, their work with marginalized and disadvantaged groups, knowledge of public affairs and human rights and conflict management and resolution.

NCIC is mandated to promote equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful coexistence among communities in Kenya and to advice the government on the same.

The agency has been without commissioners since September 2013, when the term of the then team of commissioners expired.

It was borne from the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreement signed in Nairobi in February 2008 that ended the post-election violence.