Why EAC CS nominee Beatrice Asukul clarified her education qualifications

Beatrice Asukul, the Cabinet Secretary nominee for East African Community Affairs and Regional Development, faced tough questions on Friday regarding her educational qualifications.

During her appearance before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, Asukul explained how she earned a degree without first obtaining a diploma.

According to her curriculum vitae, she faced challenges while pursuing her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.

“I took a course at a social development training institute that was examined by KNEC. The fact that I don't have a diploma means that if I did, I could have reduced my degree years to three. However, because I didn't have a diploma, I had to complete a four-year degree,” Asukul told the committee.

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As a result, the EAC CS nominee had to add an extra year to her degree studies to make up for the diploma level she skipped.

She also explained the circumstances that led to her delayed education and the decision to skip a diploma. “I was supported by a sponsor up to Form Three. I don't know what happened, but when we were joining Form Four, we were told that the funding had ended for political reasons. I stayed home for nine months and had to privately register myself in a school in Kitale to finish,” she said.

Despite these educational challenges, Asukul pursued a degree and a master's and is awaiting graduation.

She is also known for her vocal involvement in Azimio la Umoja party issues. During the 2022 General election, she was part of the panel that selected Martha Karua as a suitable running mate for Raila Odinga.

When questioned about her role, Asukul defended her actions, saying, “I ensured fairness as every party had a representative. We agreed on the parameters for selecting a suitable running mate, and the person we chose met those criteria. It was not ODM that picked the candidate, but all political parties decided together. I was one person from ODM, and the rest were from other parties.”

If approved by Parliament, she promised to address malpractices in distributing relief food, especially in Arid and Semi-Arid regions.

“Of course, there are malpractices that people engage in, but having been a relief monitor, I will be present to address them if approved.

While my CV may not capture my knowledge of trade, in my county, we engage with other EAC countries like Uganda and Sudan,” she said.
Asukul further promised to adopt new strategies to increase trade within member states and better inform and sensitize communities about opportunities in the East African Community.