NCIC names 15-member panel for peace ahead of the elections

Ambassador Francis Muthaura will lead the panel as the convener, with Justice (Rtd) Joyce Aluoch appointed as the co-convener. 

Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and Archbishop Phillip Anyolo are the committee's faith leaders.

Peace and reconciliation expert Bishop Emeritus Stephen Kewasis will also provide his services to the panel, with NCIC Chairman Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia set to serve as an Ex-Officio member.

Others are: Lt Gen (Rtd) Daniel Opande and Lt Gen (Rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiywo who will serve as mediation experts; with Nerima Wako and Sheikh Hamad Kassim named youth leader and faith leader respectively.

Fatuma Abdikadir is the panel's expert in sports for peace faith, with Dr. Vimal Shah named the panel’s corporate leader. Governance expert Catherine Musakali and public engagement expert Chancellor Robert Mutula are also part of the body.

Some of their roles include facilitating dialogue and mediation between disputing parties and fostering solutions to political disputes. The panel will also oversee the mediation of politically related conflict besides mobilising Kenyans to respect and uphold the rule of law and diffuse political tension. 

They are also expected to facilitate efficient communication between disputing parties and facilitate negotiations for common positions with interest for the well-being of Kenyans.

“We call on the Kenyan voters to listen to and comply with the instructions of IEBC on how to conduct themselves regarding the elections. Let us cooperate with the official instructions of the IEBC to ensure that the election process is completed well and transparently. We also highly welcome the various observer missions, which are here to observe the Kenyan election,” NCIC said in a statement.