Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has drafted a bill to amend the Section 22 of the Elections Act to remove the condition that could dim political careers of many aspirants.
The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 will be introduced in the Senate for first read next month when the lawmakers resume plenary sessions after a month long recess.
Deputy President William Ruto has broken his silence regarding the ongoing debate about the requirement for MCAs to have a degree in order to vie for the post.
Ruto said that requiring MCAs, governors, MPs, and the president have the same qualification of a Bachelor’s degree is not reasonable, hence, the need to make an amendment to the Act.
Section 22 of the Elections Act, 2011 requires all candidates vying for Parliamentary and County Assembly positions to hold a Bachelor’s degree.
However, Ruto said that it is time that “unreasonable restrictions” be eliminated on the way of voters and candidates to be able to vote or vie in any election or referendum.
“Parliament is already reconsidering Section 22 of the Elections Act so that we can remove what the law provides today that in my opinion, is an unreasonable restriction on the way of people who want to be elected in various office so that we can have a reasonable expectation,” Ruto said.
The DP spoke on Thursday at his Karen residential home during a meeting with MCAs from Baringo County Baringo led by Speaker David Kiplagat Kerich.
Ruto’s ally Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has drafted a bill to amend the Section 22 of the Elections Act to remove the condition that could dim political careers of many aspirants.
The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 will be introduced in the Senate for first read next month when the lawmakers resume plenary sessions after a month long recess.
Ruto further noted that it was unnecessary to demand uniform qualifications from leaders running for different elective positions in the country.
“Different leaders at different ranks are charged with different responsibilities, and faced with a variety of situations which Parliament, in exercising its legislative authority, must take into account,” he said.According to the DP, the qualifications restrictions only allow a small percentage of the population to run for political positions and leave the rest disenfranchised.