IEBC Boss rattled Mps when he said that the clause 22 of the elections act requiring the members of parliament and the members of the county assemblies to have degrees will be implemented in 2022.
The current parliament has two dozen MPs who will not be able to get a chance to fight for their seats if the clause is used in the next elections.
The Mps include Suna East member of parliament Junet Mohamed, Bahati member of parliament Kimani Ngunjiri, Kapseret member of parliament Oscar Sudi, Makadara member of parliament George Aladwa, Kibra legislator Imran Okoth, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir.Others MPs are Bomet Woman rep Joyce Korir, Ganze mp Teddy Mwambire, Garsen MP Guyo Ali Wario, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, Embakasi West MP George Theuri, nominated senator Christine Zawadi, Samburu woman Mp Maison Leshoomo, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana, Laikipia North MP Saraha Korere, Kiambu MP Jude Njomo, Nominated MP Maina Kamanda Taita Taveta woman rep Lydia Haika, Teso South MP Geoffrey Omuse, Igembe Central MP Iringo Kubai, Makueni woman Rep Rose Museo, Roysambu MP Waihenya Ndirangu, Ki;ifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu and Embu woman rep Jane Njiru.
But on Thursday, the DP came to their rescue as he proposed for the scrapping of the clause to allow those without college degrees to contest elections.
Ruto said the clause is discriminative against Kenyans who have leadership skills yet lack the educational requirments.
“The Constitution prohibits any unreasonable restrictions being placed on the way of voters or candidates to be able to vie or vote in any elections,” Said DP Ruto on Thursday.
“To say that MCAs should have the same qualifications as MPs, Governors and even the President is not reasonable, already we have Parliament reconsidering Section 22 in the Elections Act so that we can remove what the law provides today that in my opinion is unreasonable restrictions on candidates that want to be elected,” he said.
Now, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to lead the house in throwing out that amendment. According to Murkomen, all that a leader needs is to be able to read and write.
“The purpose of this bill is to amend the Elections Act No.24 of 2011 to enable a person who is able to read and write to be nominated as a candidate for elections as a Member of Parliament,” the draft amendment bill reads in part.
