Kenya has dropped the university degree requirement for individuals seeking to contest presidential, gubernatorial and parliamentary positions ahead of the country’s 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed that a university degree cannot currently be enforced as a qualification for candidates seeking the three elective positions following a court ruling declaring the relevant provision of the Elections Act unconstitutional.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu explained that, under the current legal position, candidates without university degrees can contest for the presidency, governorships and parliamentary seats, provided they meet all other constitutional and electoral requirements.
“But a degree, as we start now, is not part of the requirement.”
The development means academic qualifications will no longer serve as a mandatory requirement for candidates seeking the affected political positions in the 2027 polls.
The IEBC has indicated that any attempt to introduce a new educational requirement would have to go through Parliament and public participation before it could become enforceable.