This archive report was first published on 26 June 2021.
On June 26, 2021, the Kenyan Constitution's Article 95 emphasizes the role of Parliament, making Members of Parliament (MPs) lawmakers and overseers of government on behalf of the people.
MPs are expected to represent their constituents, oversee the government, and make laws. This requires a certain level of education and intellect, as they must be able to make informed decisions and contribute to legislation.
However, some argue that legislators should not have reasonable academic qualifications as envisioned in Article 99 of the Constitution. They claim that this requirement is discriminatory and that it excludes those who may not have had the opportunity to acquire a degree.
But, as with any position of responsibility, there are minimum requirements that must be met. Judges, teachers, commissioners, administrators, and others have minimum education requirements, which are necessary to ensure that they are equipped to perform their duties effectively.
It is also worth noting that the MPs have not defended the president and governors from similar discriminatory requirements. In fact, the greatest agent of discrimination in elective leadership is not education, but money.
For MPs, making well-thought-out decisions on the use of NG CDF, making basic contributions to legislation in Parliament, overseeing state organs, and budgeting all require proper education, including out-of-classroom interaction and exposure.
The office of an MP requires a person with impeccable intellect because their decisions affect tens of thousands of people, and their actions are copied by other future leaders.
