IEBC Confirms No Degree Requirement for Elective Seats in 2027 Polls
IEBC states university degrees are not mandatory for presidential, gubernatorial, or MP candidates in 2027 following court rulings on constitutional grounds.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 24, 2026
2 min read
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has clarified that Kenyans without university degrees are eligible to contest for key elective positions in the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu explained that recent court rulings declared the degree requirement in the Elections Act unconstitutional. This means the commission cannot enforce the university qualification criterion during candidate nominations for president, governor, or Member of Parliament.
Legal Background
The court's decision was influenced by constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality and freedom from discrimination, specifically Articles 27 and 10. It also considered that only 3.5% of Kenyans held university degrees as per the 2019 census, meaning the majority—96.5%—would be unfairly excluded from contesting major elective offices.
Current Eligibility Requirements
While the degree requirement is suspended, candidates must still satisfy other constitutional and legal conditions, including:
- Kenyan citizenship
- Voter registration
- Nomination by a political party or qualification to run independently
- Compliance with leadership and integrity standards
- Additional position-specific criteria
Future Prospects
Commissioner Nderitu noted that educational qualifications could be reinstated only through a proper legislative process that incorporates public participation. Until such a process is completed, university degrees will not be a prerequisite for the affected elective seats.
"As we start now, there is no requirement for a degree for anybody," Nderitu emphasized, affirming the commission's commitment to uphold the current legal framework ahead of the 2027 elections.
