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Speakers of the National Assembly, the Senate and County Assemblies will be compelled to be degree holders if Parliament approves a proposal by a Senate committee.

This is after the Senate Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee tabled a report proposing the Constitution and Election laws be amended to make the holders of the Speaker position to be holders of university degrees.

However, one member of the committee Senator Okiya Omtatah (Busia) has sharply differed with the findings and conclusion of the report.

“While I agree with Chapters One and Two of the report, which set out the background and consideration of the Petition by the Committee, I do not concur with the findings and determination of the committee on the petition, as set out at chapters Three and Four of the report,” said Omtatah (pictured) in his minority report.

According to Omtatah, the proposition that separate qualifications and requirements need to be put in place for one to become a Speaker of a County Assembly, the Senate, or the National Assembly, as distinct from the qualifications put in place for the election of members of the respective House. “I am not persuaded that the proposed amendment would pass the threshold set by Article 24 of the Constitution, on limitation of rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Omtatah

In the majority report signed by eight Senators, the committee recommends that Parliament amends Article 106 (1) (a) of the Constitution, to delink the qualifications for one to be a Speaker of a House of Parliament from those of the members.