Chief Justice Martha Koome has challenged the new National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) team to stop complaining about a lack of authority and instead focus on delivering results with its current mandate.

Speaking during the swearing-in of NCIC Chairperson and commissioners on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Koome pushed back against the frequent narrative that the agency lacks the “teeth to bite”.

“What I want to tell you, as NCIC, take the plate that you have been given and, first of all, empty it. May you implement that act to the end before we hear that you need more powers. More powers to do what when you have not exhausted what you already have?” CJ Koome posed.

Why more power?

She questioned the logic of requesting additional powers when the commission has yet to exhaust the tools and resources already at its disposal.

The Chief Justice reminded the NCIC that they are not operating in a vacuum, noting that investigators, prosecutors, and a public willing to file complaints are already in place to support their work.

She argued that the commission cannot claim to be crippled by a lack of legislative strength until it has fully utilised the institutional framework currently available to it.

“We have the prosecution, we have the investigators, we have Kenyans coming forward to complain about this and that. First of all, attend to that before you can say you have been crippled because you have not been given the teeth to bite,” Koome said.

New commissioners take oath

The seven commissioners were sworn into office on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, following President William Ruto’s appointment on May 6, 2026, after a recruitment exercise conducted by a selection panel and subsequent approval by Parliament.

The swearing in marked the beginning of a six-year term for the new team tasked with safeguarding national cohesion.

The commissioners sworn in are Josphine Kirion Eragae, Joseph K. Nguyo, Jackson Swadi Kedogo, Samuel Mwachiro Mwawasi, Irene Chepoisho Tulel, Hassan Billow Ahmed and Jerusah Mwaathime Michael.