[Kipchumba Murkomen in a past event. He wants election laws demanding high academic standards for governorship aspirants scrapped. Photo/the-star]
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has called for the scrapping of election laws requiring political aspirants to meet academic qualifications before seeking office.
In a Facebook post published on Murkomen's official account on Wednesday, the legislator said the law has forced many aspiring governors without degrees to pursue fraudulent means to acquire the academic qualifications.
“Some people have degrees but can’t even construct a sentence,” he noted.
He further noted that the mandate to elect leaders rests with the electorate, adding that academic qualification is not the true measure for success in life.
“I totally agree that academic success is not the only measure for success in life. I know in Kenya a person who scores a D- cannot even qualify to serve in any sector of our armed forces,” he said.
“I have argued before that those who want to be elected should have qualifications determined by voters. My argument is that the voter is wiser and knows what he wants," he added.
The Senator's calls comes in the backdrop of legal battles facing outspoken Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho over claims that he forged his academic papers.
The governor has since dismissed the claims, saying they are politically motivated.