- MPs tell colleagues to forget extension of the degree requirement.
- Said those unqualified should go back to school and come back in 2027.
Image: EUTYCAS MUCHIRI
MPs without university degrees wanting want to vie in 2022 should go back to school and expect no mercy. Wait for 2027.
That's what MPs have told colleagues who want the degree requirement extended. The extension push met resistance in the House.
In no uncertain terms, the lawmakers said they will not entertain another push to extend the university requirements. Instead they urged their colleagues to improve their grey matter and make a comeback in 2027.
The MPs said those who wanted to run in 2022 had more than five years to acquire the degree qualifications.
The lawmakers were contributing to a petition by two Kenyans – Anthony Manyara and John Wangai – seeking to have the National Assembly repeal Section 22(1)(b) of the Elections Act, 2011 which makes a university degree mandatory for elective positions.
Majority leader Amos Kimunya said the House should not give in to the request, adding the lack of higher education has diluted the quality of debate in Parliament over the years.
“They would actually think we can always lobby for a law to be changed when we're not compliant. And I think that should not the basis of this House. We cannot be legislating in vain,” Kimunya said.
His minority counterpart John Mbadi said there was sufficient time for members to earn degrees, adding some House business requires some level of education.
“Let us be serious. You expect the chair of the Budget committee looking at budget estimates — and that committee has people who have not gone beyond Class 7 or 8 — just because sometimes they're politically correct,” Mbadi said.
He added, “That hour of reckoning has now come. Those MCAs who were saying Mbadi was abusing us, now you should know Mbadi was your friend. If you still don't have a degree, please, it is too bad for you.”
Nominated MP Dennitah Ghati warned against any extension, saying it would be a mockery of education if anyone is allowed to come into the dignified House without a degree.
“For the first time, I support the IEBC to impose a strict measure. People must go to school, Members of Parliament must go to school. Why are we educating our children, to do what? And we're saying you can go to Parliament without a degree,” Ghati said.
The petitioners said the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted the education calendar, affecting some aspiring candidates who might not graduate within the anticipated time.
The petition was committed before the Justice and Legal affairs Committee chaired by Kangema MP Muturi Kigano.
(Edited by V. Graham)