I wish to congratulate President Kibaki for his bold decision to stand with the spirit of the Constitution and listen to the wishes of the people regarding law amendments. He declined to assent to an amended elections law that would, among other things, allow party hopping by MPs and also required MPs, senators and governors to be holders of a university degree.
However, I find fault with the Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s assertion that Kenya is unable to provide enough people with right educational qualification to vie for political offices.
While it is true that leadership can be a talent, education and training has a profound effect on the quality of leadership. The current political environment is charged with technological and ideological complexities that require strengthened competency particularly in diversity, knowledge and resource and information management.
To amicably address issues of global warming, environmental sanity and promote sustainable economic well being, there is need for high-skilled people to preside over legislations.
Education is also critical when Parliament transacts its business through Motions and Bills. It gives MPs capacity to introduce own legislations, guide and influence debate by asking relevant questions. Properly trained MPs have a clear history of exercising surveillance and achieving Government accountability and transparency.
There are cases where less trained MPs have sidelined the intellectuals in their constituencies due to inferiority complexes. Such MPs have fallen short of being an inspiration for the youth to harness their capacity for intellectual growth.
The critical role played by the Parliament in national governance, approval of bilateral and international agreements, treaties and conventions in a manner that does not violate the Constitution or hurt Kenyans’ interest demands quality high level education.
{Evans Nyesi, Mahomalek}
MPs had set the bar high for aspirants of higher political offices in the forthcoming elections. This was important because all other sectors of public service and private sector are already doing the same.
If primary schools are being headed by first degree holders, and secondary schools by master’s degree holders, how about Parliament, and a constituency that has thousands of Kenyans requiring your services?
In fact, since Parliament is a law making body, we could raise the bar higher and say in future, besides a bachelor’s degree, some knowledge of law should be made mandatory. Universities are now all over and accessible. Let people go back to learn for a better Kenya. The President should have assented to the Bill setting these standards.
