By Tobias Chanji
Presidential aspirant James ole Kiyiapi has asked Kenyan professionals to join national and elective politics.
Prof Kiyiapi told a meeting of architects drawn from five East African countries that higher education should not be solely for personal gain.
He said this on Friday evening when he closed this year’s Architectural Association of Kenya annual convention that was held jointly with East Africa Institute of Architects in Kwale.
“I want to challenge my colleagues that education is not for self gain but should benefit the whole community as those who are empowered will put consideration in development issues,” he said, adding that Kenya’s trained human resources is well-known globally but this has not transformed the country’s socio-economic status.
He said although Kenya had made commendable strides in legal and institutional reform, the gains are threatened by weak leaders who have failed to give direction to the country when called upon and suggested that educated people could change this if they entered politics.
“I invite many of the professionals to join politics so that we can get it right and realise the promise of the new Constitution.
The former PS said the court ruling that lifted the ban on the separatist Mombasa Republican Council should not incite insecurity and argued that a long term solution to the problem at the Coast lies in a systematic fight against poverty.
