A House Committee has opposed a proposal by the government to create a new Commission responsible for peace building in the country.
The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities said the plans by the Interior Ministry to establish the National Peacebuilding Commission (NPC) are misplaced and duplication of roles.
During the joint retreat with the National Commission and Integration Commission (NCIC) in Mombasa, the Committee members who were led by their chairman Hon Adan Haji were informed the proposed Commission would also be responsible for managing the Peace Building Fund.
“The proposals are contained in a report drafted by the Committee of experts established and funded by the Interior Ministry to come up with the document,” the NCIC chairman Dr Samuel Kobia told the Committee.
Committee members were taken through the Peace Building Architecture (PBA) report.
The report proposed far reaching initiatives aimed at promoting peace, cohesion and integration in the country.
Said Dr Kobia: “Drafting of the report was initiated by the UNPD who mandated the Interior ministry to take charge of the process. NCIC were only invited to present their views to the Committee of experts just like any other entities.”
The report also empowers national peacebuilding institutions to undertake an ambitious, sustained national wide initiatives to educate Kenyans, especially youths about their rights, roles and responsibilities in peacebuilding among other proposals.
But MPs vehemently opposed the creation of another Commission saying Kenyans were not ready to shoulder any more financial burdens.
Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino said instead of creating another Commission, the government should empower the NCIC.
“These business of creating new Commissions that don’t serve Kenyans adequately has caused a lot of discomfort among citizens. Creating a new Commission yet we have NCIC will cause jitters among Kenyans,” he added.
Said Hon Owino: “The focus should be on enhancing funding for NCIC who are currently malnourished because they are starving financially.”
Kaspul MP Hon Charles Were noted that creation of a new Commission would kill NCIC, noting that the move should be resisted.
“How do you kill your baby because you want to give birth to another one?” posed the MP.
Teso North MP Hon Oku Kaunya said setting up of a new Commission will have serious financial implications.
He noted that it is Kenyans who will be forced to carry the financial burden.
“Those proposing to create the new Commission have they thought of where they will get money for the Peace Building Fund? Kenyans are not ready to be taxed again for such unnecessary organisations,” he added.
Nyeri Town MP Hon Charles Mathenge pointed out that the government should focus on empowering NCIC to implement the Ndung’u Lands and the TJRC reports.
Kajiado North MP Hon Onesmus Ngogoyo said Kenyans will resist any attempt to create the Commission.
“The tendency of the government creating new entities is unpopular with Kenyans and the new Commission is not an exception,” he added.
National Assembly’s Legal Officer Ms Audry Andala took the NCIC through the feedback collected from wananchi during the public participation exercise on the National Cohesion and Integration Bill, 2023 conducted in June this year.
The Bill that seeks to empower the NCIC through enhanced funding is pending the second reading in the House.
“The Committee received overwhelming responses on the Bill during the Public Participation exercise. This is a sign that Kenyans are keen on the law making exercise by the House,” said Ms Andala.
Dr Kobia said the Commission has successfully developed and launched the Trans-generational Conversation Framework that pushes for political decency and accountability in Kenya.
“The Framework was developed partly in response to the Gen Zs demonstrations. It involves young people in the peace building initiatives,” he added.
