MPs ask IEBC to clarify on aspirants requirements

By Allan Kisia and Peter Opiyo

Legislators have raised concern over the confusion emerging on the academic and other qualifications required for candidates vying for various elective positions.

Legislators consequently asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to move with speed and ensure politicians access information of the requirements for respective seats.

Kisumu Town East MP Shakeel Shabir asked IEBC to post all requirements on its website where aspirants can access them with ease.

Bura MP Abdi Nuh lamented that politicians and members of the public are being duped into buying any information about the requirements.

“There is information out there that we must produce health certificates, good conduct certificate and even a clearance certificate from mothers-in-law,” he said.

He wondered whether Government agencies are co-ordinating their activities to give the proper information to Kenyans.

“IEBC should put this information in the papers in a clear and simple language,” he added.

Justice Assistant minister William Cheptumo promised to take up the matter with IEBC.

“I will take up the matter and ensure IEBC passes information to the public,” he stated.

The assistant minister was responding to a question in Parliament by Nuh.

The IEBC is also scheduled to have an informal meeting with MPs on Thursday to discuss the matter.

Cheptumo noted that academic and other qualifications for the positions are regulated by the Constitution and the Elections Act 2012.

For the presidency, he noted, nominees should hold a degree from a recognised university.

He further noted that other qualifications include being a citizen by birth, qualified to vie for a parliamentary seat, nominated by a political party or is an independent candidate who was nominated by not fewer than 2,000 voters from a majority of the counties.

He added that Governor and deputy Governor, too, require degrees and must be eligible for election as a member of the County Assembly.

He further added that there are no academic qualifications prescribed for MP, county ward representative and county speaker assembly seats.

The nomination fee for the president is Sh100,000 for women, any person with disability and youth but Sh200,000 for others.

For Governor, it is Sh25,000 for women, youth and persons with disabilities but Sh50,000 for others.

Aspiring senators will pay Sh25,000 for women, youth and persons with disabilities but Sh50,000 for others.

MPs and women county representatives will pay Sh10, 000 for women, youth and persons with disabilities but Sh20, 000 for others.

County assembly ward members will pay Sh2,500 for women, youth and persons with disabilities but Sh5,000 for others.