Knut backs calls for December elections

By Robert Kiplagat

Teachers have maintained that the next General Election should be held in December.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Baringo County officials have supported calls by the Commission for Revenue Allocation to the electoral body to change the elections date from March 2013 to December.

They argued that holding the elections in March would interfere with learning in schools.

The teachers through the Knut Executive Secretary Charles Kamuren said majority of the schools across the country act as polling stations during elections.

Speaking during a teachers’ conference held in Kabarnet town on Wednesday, Mr Kamuren added that most teachers double up as election officials. "Elections should be held in December this year if the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission have the concern of the Kenyan students at heart," said Kamuren.

He said most campaign rallies are held on school grounds and this would destruct students.

At the same time the Knut official urged teachers to elect a presidential candidate with their (teachers’) interest at heart.

Grant leave

He said: "We are tired of the leaders who do not heed teachers demands and this time round it is our time as teachers to choose a visionary leader".

Kamuren also asked the Teachers Service Commission to grant seven-month leave to teachers with political ambitions instead of resigning.

Koibatek branch Knut Executive Secretary Stanley Kiptis said it would be unfair for teachers to resign since the TSC is an independent commission. Mr Kiptis urged the teachers to support ‘one of their own’ in county and national positions.