The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced candidates interested in vying for parliamentary seats must have university degrees.

The IEBC Chief Executive Marjan Hussein said that in a letter addressed to the Secretary-General of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Veronica Maina in response to her earlier inquiry.

Maina wrote to IEBC inquiring about information on qualifications and requirements for candidates aspiring for various elective posts.

Hussein said the requirement is in force unless otherwise declared unconstitutional by the court.

"Unless declared unconstitutional by the Court, the degree requirement for Members of Parliament is in force and is trite law," Hussein said.

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According to the electoral body, only MCA aspirants are not affected by the academic requirement, since the High Court declared Section 22(1)(6)(i) of the Elections Act unconstitutional.

"For clarity, the Court effectively nullified the requirement that a person must possess a degree from a university recognised in Kenya to qualify to be a Member of a County Assembly," IEBC said.

IEBC emphasised that presidential aspirants, gubernatorial aspirants and their deputies are required to have a degree from a recognised university in Kenya.