20 March 2022

Fans, voters and haters wonder how Bahati got the audacity to run for office without a university degree.

Here is how clause 22 of the Elections Act requires that members of parliament and the members of the county assemblies have degrees.

But the MPs have been fighting to have the clause dropped from the act.

Deputy President William Ruto said, “The Constitution prohibits any unreasonable restrictions being placed on the way of voters or candidates to be able to vie or vote in any elections.”

“To say that MCAs should have the same qualifications as MPs, Governors and even the President is not reasonable, already we have Parliament reconsidering Section 22 in the Elections Act so that we can remove what the law provides today that in my opinion is unreasonable restrictions on candidates that want to be elected,” Ruto added.

The bill which is sponsored by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen believes that a leader need is to be able to read and write.

“The purpose of this bill is to amend the Elections Act No.24 of 2011 to enable a person who is able to read and write to be nominated as a candidate for elections as a Member of Parliament,” the draft amendment bill reads in part.

The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2021 is currently before the Senate.

Making light of the entire matter, Babu Owino offered his many diploma and degrees to any aspirant, at an exorbitant price of "an arm and a leg".

He posted on his social media, "The introduction of Degree Certificate as a condition to contest for all the positions in 2022 will be a challenge to many, as a result, I’m asking anyone without a degree certificate to buy one of my many Degrees."

He added, "I have 6 Diplomas and 4 Degree certificates at an affordable price. Hurry while the stock lasts. First-class Honors in Actuarial Science will cost you a leg and an arm plus your liver."

Some of the MPs without degrees who are likely to be affected in 2022 by this elections act are;

MPs Oscar Sudi of Kapseret
George Aladwa of Makadara
Junet Mohamed of Suna East
Kimani Ngunjiri Bahati member of parliament
Imran Okoth Kibra legislator
Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir.
Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama
Embakasi West MP George Theuri
Nominated senator Christine Zawadi
Bomet Woman rep Joyce Korir,
Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire
Garsen MP Guyo Ali Wario
Samburu woman Mp Maison Leshoomo
Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi
Matungulu MP Stephen Mule
Kaloleni MP Paul Katana
Laikipia North MP Saraha Korere
Kiambu MP Jude Njomo
Nominated MP Maina Kamanda
Taita Taveta woman rep Lydia Haika
Teso South MP Geoffrey Omuse
Makueni woman Rep Rose Museo
Roysambu MP Waihenya Ndirangu
Kilifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu
Embu woman rep Jane Njiru
Igembe Central MP Iringo Kubai

For singer Bahati most of the qualifications have been met. However, if the law is not amended in time for the 2022 national elections, he will not be eligible to run.