Members of Parliament have opposed a proposal by the government to create a new Commission responsible for peacebuilding in the country.

The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities said the plans by the Interior Ministry to establish the National Peace Building Commission (NPC) are misplaced and duplication of roles.

During the joint retreat with the National Commission and Integration Commission (NCIC) in Mombasa, the Committee members who were led by their chairman Adan Haji were informed 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 Dr Samuel Kobia told the Committee. Committee members were taken through the Peace Building Architecture (PBA) report.

Promoting cohesion The report proposed far reaching initiatives aimed at promoting peace, cohesion and integration in the country.

Said Kobia: “Drafting of the report was initiated by the UNPD who mandated the Interior Ministry to take charge of the process. NCIC was 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 ambitious, sustained national 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 businesses 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.