The Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Sensi Ward, Mr Paul Angwenyi has today opposed the law requiring aspirants for Member of Parliament (MP) and MCA seats to have a degree from a recognized university in Kenya.
Speaking to the press at Kisii County Assembly offices in Kisii town, the MCA said the law is discriminatory and every Kenyan is entitled to be elected or not.
“The sovereignty of this country is on the people. So, if the people have said they want somebody to be their MP or MCA, who are they to legislate or discriminate?” Angwenyi asked.
Angwenyi called for progressive legislation that will expand the country’s democracy and enhance the will of the people because it is the people who elect their leaders.
The MCA noted there was no substantive research to ascertain that leader with degrees will deliver development to the people.
“Democracy is about the will of the people and as the saying goes, let the majority have their way and the minority have their say. There are people here who didn’t go to school but if they are given an opportunity to serve their people, they will do it diligently,” added Angwenyi.
This comes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) affirmed this week that the law will take effect during next year’s general elections and the commission is in the process of partnering with the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and the Commission for University Education (CUE) to verify the academic papers of candidates who will vie for elective posts.
By Mercy Osongo
