The degree debacle pitting the Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, who is seeking the county's top seat, has triggered a heated debate in South Africa.
In a statement, South Africa's former Public Prosecutor Thuli Madonsela weighed in on the issue and suggested that SA emulates Kenya when hiring leaders to senior positions.
Madonsela was responding to Kenya's Commission for University Education (CUE) revoking its earlier recognition of Sakaja's degree from Team University in Kampala, Uganda.
“In Kenya, you need a degree for election as governor. Should we not require the same for our premiers, MECs, ministers, MPs and presidents?”
“Does it make sense to ask people who have not been taught how to deal with complexity or interpret laws to make and enforce laws?” She posed.
In South Africa, a premier heads one of the country's nine provinces. The office-bearer appoints five to ten other members who are given the title, of Member of the Executive Council.
Madonsela's comments drew mixed reactions from South Africans with some agreeing that the requirements should also incorporate a clean track record for any leader seeking an elective position.
"It is time to vote for individuals with good academic record and not vote for the party." Moatshe
"Go and do an audit on those degreed Politicians/MP's and you will be surprised how many of them have bought degrees that you claim they will align them with literacy to laws interpretation."
Others, however, opined that the South African education system needed a complete overhaul in order to keep up with other countries.
"A degree plus a morality check? A degree plus a CV showing what they have achieved? Degree plus performance appraisals by independent appraisers along with consequences if they don’t meet standards. A degree is only the first requirement." read some of the comments.
"A foreign degree should be a requirement! SA degrees are toilet paper now!" read some comments.
Sakaja's degree saga has attracted debate as to the authenticity of his academic certificates. The senator will know his fate when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Tribal Committee delivers the ruling on Sunday, June 19.
Sakaja, whose dream to become Nairobi's governor is on the edge, has also moved to the High Court challenging CUE's decision to denounce his degree.
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