The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has proposed renaming counties to eliminate ethnic identities associated with devolved units.
In a submission to the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, the NCIC, led by acting Secretary/CEO Harrison Kariuki, argued that the current county names contribute to ethnic profiling and fragmentation. Kariuki emphasized that the names create a perception that certain counties belong to specific ethnic groups.
The NCIC highlighted that 33 out of 47 counties are embroiled in boundary disputes. The commission recommends that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission handle the delimitation of county boundaries to avoid exacerbating existing conflicts and structural inequalities.
The NCIC is tasked with promoting national cohesion and integration, including managing conflicts and facilitating dialogue and reconciliation. It aims to foster a unified national identity by addressing ethnic, racial, and religious discrimination.
The report also noted that the NCIC, while independent, is not constitutionally enshrined and relies heavily on political support. The commission is advocating for constitutional recognition to enhance its effectiveness and ensure greater transparency and accountability. The NCIC has engaged various stakeholders, including Senate and National Assembly committees, and the National Dialogue Committee, to support this constitutional change.
