IEBC rules 2 degrees from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University for Simba Arati are valid

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati has been cleared to vie for the Kisii gubernatorial seat after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ascertained that his two degrees from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology are valid.

The clearance comes only hours after the University reiterated that the outgoing MP had successfully completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies between 2014 and 2022.

According to Dr Salome Agnes Awuor, Director of the University's Nairobi Campus, Arati who has currently enrolled for a PhD acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Diplomacy with IT in the School of Humanities and Social Science.

“Mr Arati has been my student since day one. Starting with a degree and then later an MBA. And the evidence is there,” Dr Awuor told reporters.

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati ece-auto-gen

Dr Awuor further stated that the MP who had completed his undergraduate studies in April 2016 and Masters in April 2022 signed up for a trimester course, where he was able to complete three semesters in a calendar year.

“We run a trimester, meaning that a calendar year has three semesters. Arati successfully completed the 60 units required for one to graduate. We have blended mode of learning and I remember teaching him in Parliament many times,” she said.

Dr Awuor's revelation led IEBC to withdraw a petition from two voters, Moses Ayieko and Wesley Obwang'i who had earlier claimed the MP did not meet the education requirements as stipulated by the electoral commission.