Degree, diploma requirements for political leaders is a malicious plot

I have just finished reading Modern African Political Thoughts, by Mutiso and Rohio. It is a good book for those who love reading politics and literature. The book is exotic on every page. It is one of the successful political anthologies of the last century. The dominating contributors are the African political leaders of the last century. They wrote about their practical experience in politics.

The most interesting is Tom Mboya, Kenneth Kaunda, and Oginga Odinga, Ndhabaninki Sithole, Aime Cesaire and Malcom X among others. All these writers were political leaders of great significance. Surprisingly they were not graduates; they never went through the University. But among them, there were those that had political careers and were more productive than most of their graduate contemporaries.

This literary experience of mine has also coincided with the public debate in Kenya where political leaders holding parliamentary positions are expected to hold degree certificates from recognized universities. This debate is propagated by some members of parliament. They are wrong and their political thought in this regard is against the Kenya Constitution. The people of Kenya agreed through the constitutional referendum of 2010 on the required qualifications of the parliamentary leaders. How comes then a few people that are only threatened by potential competitors in the coming election, want to go around to wash away the people’s choice. Politically this is a vice, a complete paradox to democracy, which Karl Marx called a parliamentary oligarchy, commonly fuelled by emotions of political selfishness of the bourgeoisie that are mutton-headed with full of anent persiflage in their public choices.

Comparative of their above philosophical position, the rudiments and praxis of the Kenyan constitution collectively supports inclusivity into public participation for the people in Kenya plus those in the Diaspora, graduates and non-graduates alike.

In contrast the political class wants to cunningly usurp power from the people, conserve the power and exclude the poor by legislating discriminatory laws. Hence such debates in parliament as if Kenya is not faced by more serious challenges ranging from governance to security.

Today in Kenya 70% of people who graduate with a University degree are the ones with money. Only 30% are the ones that passed their entry exams to join the universities through regular admission by the permission of joint admission board .Thus the degree is not a guaranteed measure of intellectual competence, leadership and management prowess. It is out of fear to lose political power that makes the political class to peregrinate  their minds from one sham idea to another till they all explode with passion for a lame proposal like kicking the poor out of political participation by placing a barricade in the name of a diploma and a degree.

History of leadership authoritatively dictates that leadership is a personality but not luxuriant education. Not only world history, but even Kenyan political history is a testament to this fact. Political history of Kenya has good cases of generous, patriotic and selfless leaders like Tom Mboya, Masinde Muliro, Chebi Kilimo, Wakoli Bifwoli and Ramogi Acieng Aneko just but to mention some. These are the leaders who immolated the self for Kenya’s good. Regardless of the fact that they did not hold a university degree.

They sharply contrast with their contemporaries and now hold university degrees, but their consciences are tainted with love for power and money to finance their habitual conspicuous consumption. They are always in scandals of corruption, tribal animosities and political chicaneries redolent of nothing else but skullduggery.

Some of them finish five years in parliament without standing on the floor to address the house, apart from the maiden speech in which they swear to respect their party leader who is also probably their tribal king. Leaving the parliament for the half educated in the likes of Kalemeb Ndile,Bifwoli,Sonko,Wa Mag’oli and other gifted leaders.

The question of expertise and technocracy is beautifully taken care of in the Kenya constitution. It provides for the public office of cabinet secretaries. They are supposed to be graduates. They must be vetted by the parliament. They are supposed to be appointed to a ministerial position that is in line with professional education. What is the problem then? Or is this the political syndrome of the bourgeoisie parliament clique always repressing political ventilation of the masses and the working class as Karl Marx prophesized in the 18th Brumaire?