Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Prof Abdi Guliye has opened a new debate after describing Kenyan politicians as dimwits - based on their low levels of intelligence.
Guliye spoke during an IEBC press conference on Thursday, July 7, where he asked Kenyans to desist from glorifying those seeking elective office.
The commissioner claimed that based on his review of the academic certifications submitted by the majority of politicians, the majority lacked intelligence. He added that the group was most notorious for making endless demands and loud noises.
"We live in a country where elections are a do or die and that is where the problem is. We have glorified politicians to the extent that everybody wants to become a politician.
"When we clear the candidates they are at the bottom ladder of their IQ levels if you look at their certificates," he stated.
Further, he stated that leadership positions had been opened to people without requisite qualifications citing controversial degree requirements for Members of Parliament.
He claimed that the removal of degree requirements was a deliberate attempt to have most of them seek elective office.
Guliye added that the low IQ of the politicians had made elections in the country emotive.
"If you go to the universities, I bet most of them have passes or lower second class honours and in the very nature of those are usually the noise makers and so they hype the emotions of people so that they win an election," he stated.
Additionally, he blamed politicians for trivialising sensitive issues regarding elections alleging that some were seeking favours from the commission despite attacking them in public.
"From my six years of experience at the commission politicians are liars. During the day, they will call for credible elections in public but at night they will ask you to help them. They do not mean what they say.
"In these times we have to self-isolate because if you meet a politician, you become the news," he advised.
His remarks elected debate online - some agreeing with his bold remarks - while others accused him of having a contemptuous attitude towards stakeholders in the election where he is supposed to ensure fairness.
