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 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, committee members led by chairman Adan Haji were informed that 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 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.
“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.
Kaspul MP Charles Were noted that creation of a new commission would kill NCIC.
“How do you kill your baby because you want to give birth to another one?” posed the MP.
Teso North MP 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.