National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairperson Francis Ole Kaparo, and vice chairperson Irene Wanyoike, at a past press briefing. [Photo|@NCIC_Kenya]
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta, after he extended the term of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), by one year.
Kenyatta extended the three-year-term of NCIC, giving its commissioners, additional term in office, in a Gazette Notice dated August 4, 2017.
This also gave NCIC chairperson Francis Ole Kaparo, another one year to lead the commission, after he was appointed on August 12, 2014, along with seven commissioners on a three-year-term.
The commissioners include vice chairperson Irene Wanyoike, Dr Roba Sharamo, Dr Joseph Nasongo, Belinda Ochiel, Adan Abdi Mohammed, Prof Gitile Naituli and Morris Dzoro.
LSK, led by its President Isaac Okero, termed Uhuru's move as a nullity and unconstitutional.
According to the constitution, the NCIC has eight commissioners nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the President. They serve for a three-year-term, and be eligible for re-appointment on another three-year-term.
Okero told Daily Nation, that NCIC commissioners have to go through the National Assembly, before their term is extended.
"It is against the Constitution, and the NCIC Act,” Okero said.