Senate passes amendment removing education qualification for MPs
The Senate has passed the Election
(Amendment) Bill 2021 that scraps the university degree requirement for
aspirants seeking elective posts.
This comes after 27 Senators voted in favour
of the bill during the third reading with no single legislator opposing it.
The overwhelming nod by the Senate providing
a sense of relief to thousands of Kenyans with political ambitions but lack the
requisite document.
The Elections Act (Amendment) Bill 2021
sponsored by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen seeks to lower the threshold
for qualification for those eyeing elective posts in the August 9 General Elections
by scrapping the university degree requirement in the Elections Act.
Senator Murkomen proposes that the Elections
Act be amended and that anyone with a diploma or post-secondary qualification
can vie.
He proposes that a person is eligible for
nomination as a candidate for an election under this act if that person:
(a) Is qualified to be elected to that office
under the constitution and this act.
(b) Holds a certificate, diploma or any other
post-secondary school qualification acquired after undergoing a period of at
least 3 months in a recognized institution and in such a manner as may be prescribed
by the commission.
(c) Has served as a Member of Parliament or a
Member of a County Assembly under the Constitution of Kenya or as a councillor
under the repealed Local Government Act.
Murkomen argues that any Kenyan citizen who
is able to read and write in English or Swahili language is literate and is
eligible to vie for any elective seat.
The bill passed its second reading on Tuesday
where 27 Senators voted Yes. On Wednesday, the bill passed through the
committee stage and its third reading where 27 Senators voted in favour of the
bill, none opposed it.
The bill will now move to the National Assembly
for legislative processing, where if given the nod, then the president will
assent it into law.
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