A number of gubernatorial candidates in the coming general elections, might be locked out of their respective races because of controversies surrounding their academic backgrounds.
Kenyan law stipulates that those interested in gubernatorial positions should have a degree certificate from recognized institutions.
Several voters have now filed petitions seeking to have several gubernatorial candidates’ clearance certificates revoked by IEBC. Candidates affected by the wave include;
1.Johson Sakaja
The current senator of Nairobi hoped to ascend in power and become the capital City’s governor but queries about the validity of his degree certificate have haunted him, even more, after IEBC cleared him.
Four Nairobi voters filed petitions seeking to have his clearance revoked. Sakaja is said to have undergone his undergraduate studies online in Team University in Uganda and graduated in October 2016 with a Bsc. in Management.
A spot check however confirmed that his name was missing on the graduation list of the above mentioned year.
Further controversies arose when it emerged that he has not graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Actuarial Science as he has been saying. His age and name also raised further concerns.
- Mithika Linturi
The Meru senator is eyeing the county’s gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket. His Law degree from UoN was claimed to be fake by a petitioner who wanted the court to bar him from contesting.
About four years ago, UoN deregistered the degree over claims that he had presented fake academic qualifications to be enrolled for the course.
His 2001 degree in Commerce from the same institution was also questionable. He is said to have scored a C- in his KCSE exams and that would not have earned him a university entry.
- Wavinya Ndeti
Wavinya is the Wiper party’s candidate for the Machakos county gubernatorial race. Two voters in Machakos are seeking to have IEBC revoke her clearance on grounds that her Computer Science degree from the United Kingdom is fake.
Gideon Ngewa Kenya and Kisilu Mutisya claim there are lots of inconsistencies on Wavinya’s academic profile. The duo argue that Wavinya was awarded a Masters degree in 1992 and later got a Bachelor’s degree in 1995
“Undertaking a degree after being awarded a masters in a closely-related subject is equally problematic. The degree in Computing Studies awarded by South Bank University to Ms Ndeti raises a number of issues,” the complainants claim.
- Simba Arati
This is another gubernatorial candidate whose degree has raised questions. The Dagoretti North MP is eyeing the Kisii gubernatorial seat under an ODM ticket but two Kenyans are claiming that he did not graduate from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Science and Technology hence his degree was forged.
According to the duo, Arati scored a C in his 1999 KCSE, therefore he did not qualify to join any Kenyan University then. They also claimed that he did not finish his studies because he was expelled for planning a student’s strike.
5.Granton Samboja
The former Radio Citizen journalist is seeking reelection as Taita Taveta governor.
A voter sued Samboja accusing him of faking his academic credentials after Kenyatta University confirmed that he did not undertake his undergraduate studies at the institution.
RELATED STORY:Little Known Details About Team University, Institution In The Middle Of Johson Sakaja’s Degree Saga
