Knut, Kuppet officials lose seats in August elections

Emuhaya MP-elect Omboko Milemba (centre) and Bungoma Women Rep-elect Catherine Wambilyanga are Kuppet officials. [File, Standard]

Two giant teachers’ unions are counting their fortunes after the just concluded elections where officials vied for various seats.

Of the 30 Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials who contested for elective positions, only 10 won.

Knut bagged one governor and two deputy governors seats.

Kuppet sent four officials to the National Assembly and five to the County Assembly.

Knut’s Stanley Kiptis garnered 137,908 votes to win the Baringo County governor seat.

Kiptis who was the Koibatek Knut executive secretary vied on Jubilee ticket and beat Knut National Executive Committee member Isaac Cheprop Chebon of Kanu who got 51,792 votes.

Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion however said several members also won MCA seats across the counties.

Confidence

The other two major wins for Knut were courtesy of officials who will be deputy governors in Marsabit and Nyeri counties.

On the other hand four Kuppet members emerged victorious in the parliamentary race.

Kuppet national chairman Omboko Milemba was elected Emuhaya MP while the assistant national treasurer Ronald Tonui retained his Bomet Central seat.

Catherine Wambilyanga who was the Kuppet national secretary (gender) was elected Bungoma County Woman Representative.

Florence Bore, former union secretary secondary (secondary) in Kericho won the County Women Representative seat.

Kuppet also bagged five MCA seats. Richard Cheserem, who was the union executive secretary Baringo County, was elected MCA in Soimo ward.

David Kipyego Koech (secretary tertiary Nandi county) won the Kaptumo Kabui ward seat.

Ngisa James Gisore (secretary tertiary Kisii County) was elected MCA South Mugirango ward and Julius Mbijiwe (executive secretary Meru County) emerged winner of the Imenti Central ward seat.

Mwamtsi Mwagawe (national trustee/assistant executive secretary Kilifi County) was elected Kibarani ward MCA.

Kuppet secretary general Akelo Misori said the good performance of the officials in the elections demonstrates the confidence Kenyans have in the union’s leadership.

“This is feedback on Kuppet leadership and Kenyans wanted the same to lead them in Parliament. We are happy because Kuppet is taking its place in Parliament,” said Misori.

He however, said all the elected officials will retain their seats even after the elections.

“As a union we do not have a clause that bars them from holding union seats and they will still remain our officials,” said Mr Misori.

But the poor performance of Knut officials is what insiders said has shaken the union leadership. Top Knut officials who spoke yesterday said the union may never recover from the humiliating loss of the officials.

Major cracks emerged in Knut in the run up to national elections with the two top officials taking opposing sides and using their positions to influence the teacher vote.

Knut national chairman Mudzo Nzili openly threw his support behind Jubilee re-election bid as Sossion campaigned for NASA.

Mr Sossion who was proposed for a nomination slot under ODM – attended NASA functions and defended the opposition manifesto.

Mr Nzili on the other hand attended Jubilee rallies convened by Deputy President William Ruto.

Knut officials who spoke to Saturday Standard said the conflicting positions taken by Knut top leadership cost them elective seats.

“We looked disjointed and unconvincing among the electorate. If the leadership is wavering it was difficult to convince the electorate to entrust us with leadership,” said an official who contested and lost.

But Sossion said Kenyans were free to elect leaders of their choice.

“What is however certain is that all those who contested and lost will resume work at the union immediately,” said Sossion.

A total of 30 teachers union officials declared interest to vie for elective posts in the just ended elections.

Knut officials who vied for senatorship and Woman Representative positions flopped.

Unsuccessfully contested

Former deputy secretary general, Charles Katege lost in the Migori County Senate race to veteran journalist Ben Oluoch Okelo.

Some 12 Knut officials contested for parliamentary seats and lost.

Collins Oyu (assistant secretary general) lost in the Rarieda parliamentary race.

Julius Thaitumu the Nyambene executive secretary did not win the Igembe North seat.

Those who unsuccessfully contested for MPs seat are Kericho Executive Secretary Stanley Mutai (Ainamoi), Busia Executive Secretary Mark Oseno, (Funyula), Kilindini Executive Secretary Dan Aloo, (Jomvu).

Others were Turkana Executive Secretary Tony Nazia, Executive Secretary Patrick Chungani, (Shinyalu), Yatta Executive Secretary Kasimba Ngui, (Yatta), Stella Lochodo, (Turkana Woman Representative), Eldoret West treasurer Irene Malel, (Uasin Gishu Woman Representative) and Albanus Mutisya (Machakos Town).