President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Reverend Samuel Kobia to head the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Daily Nation reported on Wednesday, October 23, that Kobia was picked to head the commission after current Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo's term came to an end.
The 72-year-old beat seven prominent candidates who included former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende and Kenya's former Ambassador to Nigeria Francis Sigei.
Kobia was nominated alongside seven other members; Samuel Kona, Philip Okundi, Peris Nyutu, Andulaziz Farah, Danvas Makori, Fatuma Tabwara and Dorcas Kedogo.
The process of replacing the NCIC chairman begun when Kaparo's term expired in September 2018, forcing the Public Service Commission to carry out fresh recruitment.
Parliament had listed 54 candidates to fill the vacant eight positions in NCIC when the court suspended the move in 2018, with Justice Wilfrida Okwany ruling that they could only vet nominees and not interview them as was planned.
Kenyans on Twitter reacted to the news of the new nominee with rage, after a similar case was witnessed where a senior citizen was appointed to a government body.
On Monday, October 14, Mary Wambui Munene was appointed as the chairperson of the National Employment Authority.
Ukur Yattani, the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary appointed Wambui in a gazette notice that saw the former legislature assume office with immediate effect.
The former Othaya MP was to serve as the chair of NEA for a duration of three years, a decision that had Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja move to court to appeal against the appointment.
"I want to urge the MPs to reject these names. Recycling of retirees should be fought with all costs available," a Twitter user wrote in relation to the NCIC nominees.
Muthaura Njogu commented, "The NCIC Chair Rev Dr. Samuel Kobia is 72 years but since we all know life begins at 40, the great son of Meru is only 32 years and perfectly within the youth bracket."
