Members of Parliament (MPs) are sharply divided over the degree qualification set to take effect in the 2022 General Election as a prequalification to vying for the seat.
Even though a section of legislators wants the requirement of section 22 of the Elections Act No.24 of 2011 that requires all persons seeking elective posts to be degree holders implemented, the proposal has sent chills spine of other legislators who do not have degrees.
The law is expected to come into effect during the 2022 polls after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Monday announced that it will not clear any person to contest for any elective post if he/she does not hold a degree.
It was supposed to be effective in the 2013 General Election but was delayed to give aspiring politicians enough time to go back to school and acquire degrees.
Kivumbi.co.ke has compiled a list of 40 MPs without degrees 2021 who may not vie in next year’s polls including Women Representative who are likely to go home in the August 2022 General Election even as Deputy President William Ruto leads a section of leaders in protesting the directive.
They include Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, Jude Jomo (Kiambu town), Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Imran Okoth (Kibra), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha) and Samwel Arama (Nakuru Town West).
Mohammed Okiru (Turkana East), Janet Teiyaa (Kajiado woman rep), Joyce Korir (Bomet woman rep), Teddy Mwambire (Ganze), Guyo Ali Wario (Garsen),Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi Woman rep), Jane Njiru (Embu woma Rep), Iringo Kubai (Igembe Central) and Jane Chebaibai (Elgeyo Marakwet woman rep.
Others include George Theuri (Embakasi West), Beatrce Kones (Bomet), Ali Amin (Laikipia East), Maison Leshoomo (Samburu woman rep), Rose Museo (Makueni woman rep) Aladwa, George Sunkuiya (Kajiado west), Ndirangu Waihenya (Roysambu) and Stephen Mule (Matungulu).
However, some of the legislators without degree certificates are racing against time to secure their academic papers before the 2022 General Election.
They include Abdulswamad Nasir of Mvita and Geroge Aladwa of Makadara. Others in this segment include Dan Wanyama of Webuye West, John Paul Mwirigi of Igembe South, and Starehe constituency’s Charles Njagua.
According to Article 99(1) of the Constitution, a person shall be eligible for election if the person satisfies the education requirements prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
Now, section 22 of the Elections Act No.24 of 2011 provides for the academic requirements for election to the position of the President, Governor, Members of Parliament, and Members of County Assemblies.
