Ford Kenya has joined a lobby group in opposing IEBC requirement that aspirants for MCA and MPs positions should be degree holders.
Party Organizing Secretary Chris Mandu said the directive is discriminatory to most Kenyans.
“They should know why we the term County Assembly and National Assembly. These assemblies bring together people from different backgrounds. They include the educated, those not educated, the less fortunate and those fortunate enough to have wealth. We should not discriminate,” he said.
Mandu added that the degree requirement will make the County Assemblies and Parliament be “places where alumnus of several Universities meet”.
He said former President Moi was nicknamed “professor of politics” yet he did not have a degree.
“Martin Shikuku, Tom Mboya and former UK Prime Minister John Meja had no University degrees, yet they were brilliant leaders. They performed better than people who had degrees, “He said.
Mandu added that Kenyans should simply focus on people who have basic education and have their interests at heart.
However, he said the positions of President, DP, Governors, and their deputy President should be occupied by those with degrees.
He said when the amendments are presented in the Senate, Ford Kenya will marshal its troops to defeat them.
Last month, Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui went to court and argued that the law is discriminatory and unfair especially to the MCA aspirants.
Through Lawyer Danstan Omari the lobby group said the aspirants for the 2022 General elections, particularly for the seat of MCA and who are not degree holders for a reason or another, have been thrown into pandemonium and confusion and forced to abandon their early and reasonable engagements with the electorates in preparation for the year 2022 polls.