Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has told losers of the recently concluded nationwide branch elections to concede defeat and support elected leaders in order to strengthen the union.
Speaking on Friday at Gusii Stadium after overseeing Kisii Central sub county elections, Mr Sossion hailed Kisii teachers for conducting peaceful elections.
“Though the government does not believe in us, you have shown that we are the most peaceful people in the country. The elections have ended well. We did not even have security officers here to take charge of the exercise,” he said.
Albert Onkoba Ondimu garnered 1,029 votes, thrashing Shem Nyaundi who was defending the seat. Mr Nyaundi managed 929 votes.
Mr Ondimu, who till his election, was a head teacher at Kari D.E.B Primary School, promised to work with all branch union members to make it vibrant.
He applauded his supporters for believing and voting for him.
“On behalf of the branch, I thank all teachers for participating in a free and fair election, you exercised your democratic right. We are going to work together and serve all teachers irrespective of background and party affiliations,” said the Executive Secretary elect, who has been serving the branch as acting treasurer.
He added: “We will do consultative leadership to make our branch effective and ensure standards of education are maintained. We also pledge our support for the national officials in championing teachers’ rights.”
Other officials elected in Kisii Central sub county branch include; Nicolas Oyaro who was elected branch chairman with 823 votes, Daniel Marko-treasurer after securing 637 votes and Macrina Okindo retained her woman representative seat. She got 779 votes.
Ms Okindo also doubles as Nyanza Region Knut Assistant Treasurer.
Geoffrey Mogire won the Executive Secretary for Kisii South sub county branch with 399 votes in a hotly contest, defeating Charles Mokua who garnered 248 votes.
Mr Mokua was defending the seat.
The vocal Mr Mogire promised to register more members to the union to make it strong.
“I thank my supporters for electing me. I don’t take it for granted. I will work hard to ensure the union membership increases and unite all members in regardless of political affiliations,” he pledged.
His supporters asked him to fulfill his pledges and hoped he would transform the union in the Sub-county.
“Mogire possess leadership qualities and he is visionary that made me bank my support in him. He has been standing with us when we are on strike. He promised to establish a modern office and source for funds to buy a branch bus. I hope he will live by his promise,” said Jackson Onyonka, a teacher at Moguga primary in Riana ward.
“We hope Mogire will re-introduce Knut representation in schools to make the union felt more in the ground. We also ask him to recruit more members so that we can have big numbers to be able to address teacher issues,” Moses Nyamwange Ntabo, a teacher at Igonga D.O.K Primary School said.
Mr Mogire of the Team Change, founded Kisii South sub county branch in the year 2008 when he was Knut chairman, Kisii Central sub county Branch.
John Makori and Victor Ombasa Omwando tied in the chairperson seat with both attaining 320 votes. A re-run will take place upon announcement from the national office.
John Barongo Guto won the treasurer seat landslidely with 354 votes against his challenger, Margret Obiri who secured a mere 8 votes.
Stellah Basweti defeated defending Grace Opingo to clinch victory in the woman representative seat.
The defending Meshack Obonyo of Masaba South sub county branch lost the Executive Secretary seat to incoming Albert Onsare while Christopher Gori was defeated against Makabe in the Gucha South sub county branch.
However, the elections in the branch were marrered with irregularities after it emerged that voter turnout exceeded the registered members.
Lucy Machuki was elected Executive Secretary for Gucha sub county Knut branch. She is the only woman to be elected Executive Secretary in entire Kisii County.
Ms Machuki promised to work together with other branch and national officials in addressing issues affecting teachers.
The period of serving in office for the elected officials is 5 years.
Judy Kerubo Miruka congratulated Lucy for winning the seat. She asked elected officials to unite teachers.
“I hail the woman representative-elect for Gucha branch. This is a clear indication that women can tussle with men and emerge winners. I also hail other elected officials and ask them to unite union members,” said Ms Miruka, a teacher by profession.