Rift Kenya National Union of Teachers leaders meet over controversial poll

By EDWIN CHESEREK

Uasin Gishu County: Leaders from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) North Rift branches are holding secret consultative meetings to decide who to support for the post of secretary general.

They are reportedly torn between backing the current chairman, Wilson Sossion, and the acting secretary general Mudzo Nzili.

The union leaders were holed up in meetings for the better part of on Tuesday as they tried to build consensus ahead of the controversial elections.

“We want to deliberate on several issues surrounding the coming election and state our position. We have agreed to make informed decisions rather than being irrational,” said Elgeyo/Marakwet Executive Secretary John Cheberi.

He said the unions from the region do not want to be influenced by the decision of the other branches and decided to consult widely before they settle on their candidate of choice.

“We have read with concern information coming from other branches that certain positions are reserved for some regions yet the process of picking leaders for the union is democratic,” he said.

At the same time, Cheberi advised the union delegates against reducing education issues to regional politics, saying they should be handled soberly to avoid regrets in the future.

Trans Nzoia’s Reuben Makhino said they are yet to discuss the matter but the branch decided to allow its delegates to decide who to vote for independently.

Battle it out

“We do not command delegates to choose candidates; ours is to facilitate their participation in the election and their freedom to exercise their rights without fear,” he said.

Makhino, however, asked the National Executive Council to advise Sossion and Nzili on which positions they should go for considering their performance.

“The council is better placed to advice our colleagues accordingly because what the members are after is quality,” he added.

John Borr from Wareng branch said the secretary general’s position was open to every qualified member on the council and the two should be allowed to battle it out up to the ballot box.

“It is upon delegates and teachers to vote for who they think is well placed to serve them in that capacity if all the other areas are given equal representation on the NEC,” he said.