Nairobi senator Mike Sonko [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Nairobi senator Mike Sonko has downplayed the role formal education plays in leadership, saying people who seek to lead others must be chosen by God and not through books.
The Nairobi governor aspirant said although he has a valid degree, he does not think that that is what Nairobians need to get a good leadership.
Responding to a question about whether his degree was valid, the senator said he graduated from Kenya Methodist UNiversity (KEMU) and that his graduation ceremony was attended by Deputy President William Ruto.
"I had even invited the president to come and witness my graduation. But he sent his deputy because he was engaged somewhere else," he said.
"As far as I am concerned, my degree is valid. And education shouldn't apply here. Education is just a ladder to climb to wherever you want to go to but leadership comes from God," he added.
He gave an example of excellent leaders who never had academic qualifications, quoting Tom Mboya as an exceptional Kenyan leader and lawyer who never went to a law school.
"I am appealing to the incoming MPs immediately they go back to Parliament. They should amend the elections act on education because if you come from a poor family (the law says) you don't deserve to be a leader," said the senator.
While taking a complete punch at the system of credentialism, Sonko quipped what highly educated people have contributted to the society if not failing companies.
"What have PhD holders done for this country?.. Government parastatals like Kenya Airways have been messed by PhD holders," he said.
He was speaking at Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange Live show on Wednesday.