Is a Degree a Requirement to Run for Office? IEBC Answers

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner An Nderitu has revealed that a university degree is not a requirement to run for public office in the 2027 General Election. 

Speaking on Sunday, August 23, Nderitu explained that the court ruled that Section 22B(1) of the Elections Act is unconstitutional.

She noted that the court found that the degree requirement violated Article 27, which guarantees freedom from discrimination, and Article 10, which provides for public participation. 

“Before the 2022 general election, there were some people who went to court, and they challenged the requirement for a degree for the president, Member of Parliament, and Governor. The determination of those cases was made after the election, and the verdict was that section 22B (1) of the Elections Act is unconstitutional. 

“They pegged it on two issues; one of the determinations was that it violated Article 27 and Article 10. Article 27 talks about freedom from discrimination,” Nderitu stated. 

The IEBC Commissioner said that as the country heads to 2027, there is no requirement for any aspirant to have a university degree.  

Nderitu mentioned that the requirement can be reintroduced if someone successfully challenges the court decision of IEBC begins fresh public participation. 

“As we stand today, there is no requirement for a degree for anybody; that is the situation we are in. 

“Unless maybe somebody goes to court or we start the process of public participation. The Constitution expects that there is some qualification,” Nderitu said. 

This comes days after IEBC published a timetable outlining key dates and deadlines ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

In a gazette notice dated Thursday, August 20, IEBC said political parties intending to participate in the election must submit the names of their authorized persons and their specimen signatures to the commission by October 15, 2026. 

Their nomination rules must also be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, before the certified rules are submitted to IEBC by November 6, 2026.

The Notice also set December 9, 2026, as a key deadline relating to public fundraising and harambees. 

Public officers intending to contest in the General Election must resign from public office by February 10, 2027. The deadline falls six months before the August 10, 2027, election.

Political parties will also be required to have their membership lists certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by March 23, 2027, and the certified lists must then be submitted to IEBC by April 12, 2027.

Political parties must complete their primaries and resolve all intra-party disputes by May 8, 2027. 

Presidential candidates are required to submit to IEBC a list containing the names, signatures, and identity card or passport numbers of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of Kenya’s counties.

Further, IEBC said the campaign period will begin on May 29, 2027, for the presidential, National Assembly, and Senate elections and run to August 7, 2027, 48 hours before polling day.