Tougher qualifications for MCAs ahead of 2022 race

Raila Amollo Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement ODM Party is proposing higher educational papers for Members of County Assembly and Members of Parliament MPs.

The party, according to Minority leader in Parliament John Mbadi, wants to push for specific academic qualifications required for one to run for an elective seat in the country.

They claim country’s leadership had badly been invaded by quacks who could not digest anything simple on matters development and accounting.

Mbadi therefore was categorical that through the Building Bridges Initiative BBI, there is need to raise the bar for those aspiring to seek elective seats in the country and that this should be effective from the next general elections after a referendum.

He disclosed that in their proposals, they expect MPs, senators and governors to have atleast bachelors degree, while on the other hand, Members of County Assembly MCAs will be required to have degrees to qualify for the Ward position.

Speaking this to Standard Newspaper, the Suba Constituency legislator Mr. Mbadi however noted that they are yet to come to a conclusive end over this matter saying they will only do so after consulting their members on the same.

“The party’s top organ is of the opinion that they up the game by only allowing those with bachelor’s degree in any discipline to vie for elective posts such as MP, senators and governors.” He said.

“Some people support setting the qualifications thresholds to raise the bar for our members, but others want the levels capped at diploma for Ward representative position,” Added Mbadi.

ODM as a party is also planning to make general overhaul in the party’s top leadership organ so that to raise their supporters’ confidence towards 2022 race.

Among many other things the party will be reviewing in the near future includes nomination fee for MPs, senators and governors. This, according to Mr. Mbadi, may go up or go down depending on what will be agreed by the majority.