By Roy Hezron
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Western Region has vowed not to vote for the current Secretary General Wilson in the forthcoming national elections.
Speaking to Education News recently the new Regional Council Secretary Maurice Chalenga who is also the branch Executive Secretary of Vihiga stated that as Executive Secretaries they have been reduced to beggars and operating under hard times.
“We have not been paid for the last 20 months. Secretaries all over the country had loans, now they have been taken to CRB (Credit Reference Bureau) some have had their property auctioned, we have now turned into beggars, What kind of life is that?” paused Chalenga.
Chalenga added: “If there is any Executive Secretary who has been brought out of class and has not earned for the 20 months alafu apigie Sossion kura, huyo mtu si normal (and then vote for Sossion then that person is not normal).”
He stated that during the region meeting on April 27, 2021 where they were electing the new Council members and where he was elected as the Regional Council Secretary, the Western region wanted the union be revamped and they know whom they will not vote for.
“Delegates drawn from Western Region who came for that election called for the revival and revamping of the union, and they want the union to restore good working relationship with Teachers Service Commission and the government; and they resolved they know whom they will not vote for as the Secretary General, but they will choose from a pool of other contestants who will be the Secretary General,” stated Chalenga.
Chalenga stated that Western Region is after a Secretary General who will be able to work with the government of the day to better the lives of teachers, who will be able to respect the organs of the union like National Executive Councils (NEC), and who will be able to respect the constitution of the union.
During the regional elections to constitute the Regional Council, Paul Olung’a Ekwenye from Busia County was elected as the Regional Chairman, Stephen Chemonges from Bungoma County was elected as the Regional Vice-chairman, and Justin Bwire from Busia County was elected as the Regional Assistant Secretary.
Others who were elected include John Kikechi from Bungoma County as the Regional Treasurer, Josephat Lubang’a from Vihiga County as Regional Assistant Treasurer, while Janet Wasike and Jacqueline Mulindi both from Kakamega County were elected to the position of Regional first and second Woman Representative respectively.
