Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i has spoken on the ongoing controversies surrounding the integrity of academic qualifications of some candidates seeking to vie for different elective seats in August.
“It’s unfortunate that men and women are spending whole days debating whether or not some people went to school,” said the CS.
Speaking at a conference of Kenyan diplomats on security preparedness for elections at Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday, Matiang’i noted that such cases were heightening tensions across the country.
This is as some of the concerned parties are influencing their supporters to resist reports alleging that they are not academically qualified to hold office.
He however reassured the diplomats present at the conference that Kenya is peaceful.
“We do not anticipate any problem. We want to continue our trade and our economic activities,” he said.
Separately, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) George Magoha called out some politicians over the ongoing controversies regarding their academic qualifications.
Speaking from Pangani Girls High School in Nairobi on Thursday, the CS told off those involved urging them to stop stressing universities in a bid to get credibility.
He further noted that most of the institutions have digitized systems which can easily identify one as an alumni.
“I want to urge our politicians to stop destroying our universities. Our universities need to be regimented. If you want transcripts of someone who studied there in 1975, you will just touch a button and get the transcripts,” said Magoha.
This follows allegations that some aspirants in the August Elections have fake certificates.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja is among those whose degree certificate from Team University in Uganda is under scrutiny.