Why political leadership goes beyond degree

The raging debate in the last few days and into the next few weeks will be on the degree requirements for MPs and MCAs.

The elctoral body is within its right to say that they will adhere to the law as it is and not as it ought to be.

And the law clearly says come 2022, the minimum requirement to be a legislator is a degree. 

If MPs in their own wisdom pushed this law to apply in the 2022 elections, then they should not be the ones complaining.

In fact, the law is made for prosperity and if in their wisdom they pushed this piece of legislation from taking effect in 2017 rather than squash it all together, then they are to blame.

But MPs aside, let us ask ourselves why this law? What are we trying to cure and is a degree a necessary requirement for leadership?

Have we taken stock of the qualifications MPs and MCAs have and the substance of their legislative, oversight and representation functions as individuals?

It is foolhardy, to say that people without degrees cannot express themselves, yet most of our elected leaders with stellar qualifications can hardly express themselves and with a dearth of data to back the degree requirement, it is probably a mechanical cure to a problem we don’t understand. 

Well, an MP with a degree in economics or commerce is likely to be very productive in the Budget Committee.

So is an MP with a legal background in Justice and Legal Affairs Committee or an MCA with a degree in Agriculture in the Agriculture and Trade Committee.

That is a fact that we cannot dispute because some level of education, especially university education gives one a broader understanding of issues. 

And maybe not just a narrow range of issues in one particular discipline but a nuanced understanding and application of the principles, concepts and knowledge to the wider societal issues. 

However, leadership is not just about credentials. We cannot equate academic qualifications to leadership competence.

Simply put, the degree requirement is discriminatory and in conflict with the basic tenets of liberal democracy.

It does not cure the leadership problems and making it a requirement is a sneaky legal route to clip the sovereign power the Constitution bestows on the people of Kenya. 

You see, as a society we want robust, agile and educated leaders who will serve the interest of the public and legislation does not guarantee that.

This is because education is not the only dimension to leadership. We ought to sensitise the people who give that power to the political leaders, on the need to elect leaders with all the leadership qualities that would address their everyday challenges.

Politicians with or without stellar qualifications and experience should go the market place and sell their ideas.

If academic credentials mattered in politics, then I don’t see why a professor would be worried if a tout who dropped out at Class Seven is also on the ballot.

Political leadership is about seizing the moment and leading the electorate to economic and social security. 

Political leadership is about elected leaders addressing the plight of their people by taking advantage of such funds and giving their people the capacity to not only access such facilities, but also build business from the capital. 

They are looking for men and women who will use the powers given by the electorate to help the citizenry tap on funds like Biashara Fund. 

Leaders who will look at the great opportunities afforded by great projects as Africa Continental Free Trade Area and the broader LAPSSET project to create value in the production capacity of the people they represent.

In fact, studies have shown that social and economic insecurities lead to tribal choices in elections and that when leaders empower their people economically, the consequent social and economic security leads to better choices in democratic elections.  

Let all, with degrees or not, go to the electorate and sell their ideas. If a degree makes a difference, then holders should easily sell themselves to the electorate and win. — hesbonhansen@gmail.com