High Court Scraps Degree Requirement For Governor Candidates

Kenya’s High Court, on Friday, September 30, 2022, declared the requirement to have a degree to vie for the gubernatorial seat illegal.

Justice Anthony Mrima ruled that section 22 (2) contravenes section 180 of the constitution, which states that; to be eligible to vie as Governor, a person must be eligible for election as a Member of the County Assembly (MCA).

Justice Mrima noted that qualifications for MCAs and Governors should be similar. A person only needs a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education to contest for MCA seat.

“A declaration is hereby issued that pursuant to article 180 sub article 2 as read with section 183 of the constitution, the qualification for the election of a County Governor is similar to the eligibility for election as an MCA,” Justice Mrima ruled.

However, the ruling will take effect during the next elections in 2027.

The ruling came from a petition filed by advocate Harry Arrunda who asked the court to rule that the requirements for electing a governor are the same as those for members of the county assembly.

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