Eldoret Economist Wants Degree Requirement for Political Candidates Scrapped
Photo: Courtesy.
By Anneth Chepngetich
An Eldoret-based economist, Patrick Cherono, is pushing for amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws to remove the mandatory university degree requirement for political candidates and to review the two-thirds gender principle.
Cherono, who formally petitioned Parliament on May 16, 2024, argues that academic qualifications should not determine eligibility to vie for elective office.
“Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, and leadership is a natural talent. Having a university degree should not be a requirement for someone who wants to serve the people,” he said.
According to Cherono, the degree requirement has locked out many capable Kenyans with leadership skills and transformative ideas that could drive economic and industrial growth.
“There are Kenyans with vision, leadership skills and the ability to transform industries and grow the economy, but they are being locked out simply because they do not have a degree,” he said.
He further argues that the provision has fueled academic fraud, with some politicians resorting to shortcuts to obtain certificates to meet the legal threshold.
“The degree requirement has created room for shortcuts and fraud because some politicians are forced to look for certificates simply to meet the legal requirement,” he added.
Cherono notes that while a university degree adds value to one’s profession, it should not be the yardstick for leadership.
“A degree adds value to one’s profession, but it should not be the basic measure of someone’s ability to lead,” he said.
On Gender Representation
The economist has also questioned Article 27(8) of the Constitution, which requires the State to ensure that not more than two-thirds of members of elective or appointive bodies are of the same gender.
He contends that the provision undermines free political competition.
“Women should be given the opportunity to compete openly and win seats based on their ability and the confidence of the voters, rather than depending on constitutional favour,” Cherono said.
He has urged women and female politicians to actively seek elective positions and compete on merit.
“Women are capable of winning these seats. If they come together and overcome their divisions, they can compete and win positions through free and fair elections,” he said.
Court Ruling
The debate on academic qualifications has previously been in court. The High Court declared Section 22 of the Elections Act, which required parliamentary and county assembly candidates to hold university degrees, unconstitutional, finding that higher education should not be a barrier to Kenyans seeking to serve.
The proposals by Cherono now sit before Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) as part of broader discussions on electoral and constitutional reforms, at a time when the country continues to debate whether academic papers and gender quotas should determine access to leadership, or whether voters should have the final say based on ability and policies.
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