PREMIUM When merit falls, money rises: What TSC letters storm, degrees decision say about the cost of jobs in Kenya Qualifications may no longer be required, but a forged certificate was always a separate matter. Weekly Review Just now

By the account of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, a teacher’s job costs Sh400,000, paid to a Member of Parliament for a blank appointment letter he was handed free at State House and was meant to pass on, for free to a qualified young graduate.“The danger is that we may lower one eligibility threshold without strengthening the constitutional safeguards that should prevent persons with demonstrable integrity concerns, history of corruption, abuse of office, electoral offences or other serious ethical shortcomings from occupying public office.”The commission has announced that a court decision means the university degree requirement for anyone seeking elective office has been done away with, and the country has spent the days since arguing about education.