Activist files petition seeking removal of NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia
By Zipporah Ngwatu, August 27, 2025Activist Elizabeth Ochieng has filed a petition seeking the removal of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Samuel Kobia from office.
The petition, addressed to the office of President William Ruto and that of Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, wants Kobia to be investigated over allegations of financial mismanagement and fraudulent activities.
Through the petition, which is listed as urgent, Ochieng accuses the NCIC Chairperson, Kobia, of abuse of office.
She notes that Kobia unlawfully signed two letters, one for three years and another for five years, for the previous CEO, Skitter Wangeci.
Activist Ochieng states that the five-year contract was specifically meant to help Skitter secure a mortgage at an interest rate of 3%, a rate exclusively designated for state officers despite her not being entitled to such privileges.
“This constitutes abuse of office and potentially fraudulent misrepresentation, which is a direct violation of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya on leadership and integrity and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003,” part of the petition read.
Further, the petitioner also states that the matter is currently pending investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Gross financial mismanagement
She argues that the chair is guilty of gross financial mismanagement, contrary to Article 201(d) of the Constitution, which states that public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible manner.
According to Ochieng, Kobia has unlawfully approved the withdrawal of funds from the institution’s account in the name of “confidential funds” without the board’s approval.
Ochieng reveals that the gross financial mismanagement has plunged the Commission into a staggering debt of over Ksh200 million within a period of less than three years.
She asserts that this has led to failure of unpaid debts to suppliers, with some initiating legal proceedings against the Commission so as to recover their dues.
“This situation is profoundly unfair to the members of society who diligently provided services to the institution and now suffer the hardship of unpaid dues,” Ochieng states in her petition.
Notably, the activist accuses the NCIC Chairperson of academic fraud, arguing that he possesses fake academic papers, which calls into question his legitimacy for holding such a critical position and constitutes a serious breach of ethical conduct and institutional policy.
Additionally, she states that the academic fraud could amount to forgery or uttering a false document, which are criminal offences under the Penal Code.