Ask the Trans Nzoia Governor, George Natembeya, about the role teachers played in his election in the 2022 General Election, and he will probably tell you that the teaching fraternity, as torch-bearers of society, is well-versed in the aspirations of its members and can articulate the needs of voters to politicians.
The governor, perhaps, will also tell you that, because of the spread of teachers in various corners of society, they are well placed to preach the politician’s gospel to the community.
Most significantly, teachers equipped with the skills of communication can use vernacular languages to reach the common man, both in the diaspora and in grassroots communities, to propel the manifestos of aspiring politicians.
And true to Natembeya’s expectations, the Trans Nzoia County boss could be the only governor in the country who appointed more CECs and Chief Officers COs into his government upon his maiden victory in elective politics after serving in the public service for more than 35 years.
Those appointed CECs included Julian Kichwen, Jackson Amboka, Patrick Gacheru, Phanice Khatundi and Janerose Katama, while Kennedy Etyang, Dr Roselyne Nasiebada, Jane Masika and Sichangi Patrick came in as COs.
Dickson Wamocho was appointed the Chief of Staff, while Truphosa Amere benefited as the County Secretary.
Following the recent realignments, the governor appears not to have tired of including the appointment of Teresa Metto as a senior administrator, with more appointments lined up after the sacking of three CEC members: Kichwen, Boniface Wanyonyi, and Stanley Kirui.
Governor Natembeya’s story bears a resemblance to that of Furaha Lusweti, the Trans Nzoia KUPPET Executive Secretary, who was elected as an MCA in the same 2022 polls, representing Waitaluk Ward in Kiminini Sub-county.
After two unsuccessful attempts, Lusweti, the pioneer Executive Secretary for the local KUPPET branch, finally succeeded during the third attempt, leveraging his administrative teaching skills. Lusweti is among the teacher MCAs in the 33-member local County Assembly with others being Deputy Speaker Obed Mahanga ( Matisi ), Edwin Koech( Cherangany/Suwerwa), Joshua Amwai (Kiminini), Sarah Lubano (Kwanza), Boniface Cheloti (Saboti), Abraham Birir (Chepsiro/Kiptoror) and Jackline Kurgat (Motesiet).
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In the first and second County Assemblies, the teacher MCAs included Joel Milimo, David Kisaka, Simon Makhanu, Jeremiah Wakhulia, Hilary Kemei, Everlyne Cheshari, Angeline Too, and Ann Wanjiko, among others.
Time immemorial, Trans Nzoia leaders and politicians have risen from humble backgrounds in the teaching profession to senior levels in the government and on the nation’s political landscape.
Veteran and Opposition doyen politician Masinde Muliro, as a teacher, mentored many, including Michael Kijana Wamalwa, who himself was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) before venturing into Trans Nzoia politics as an MP and eventually became Vice President in 2003, following his death.
Muliro’s mentorship extended to the immediate Kiminini lawmaker, who was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) and was agitating to join politics. After the creation of the constituency in 2007 from the former Kitale West, he made it in his maiden attempt.
Former Cherangany MP Kirpruto Arap Kirwa, a teacher by profession, is reported to have garnered the support and influence of teachers in the area, enabling him to be elected to Parliament three times.
The former chair of the Trans Nzoia Teachers Enterprise, TENT, Simon Natwati, says the former Kwanza MP, Dr Noah Wekesa, sought support from the members of his group when he vied for the Kwanza MP seat and inherited it from the late MP, and subsequently rose to the Cabinet.
‘’ A teacher is as good as a politician. From wielding influence with fellow teachers and transcending it through wit with parents and other stakeholders, he is as adept at identifying the needs and challenges of the people, says Trans Nzoia KUPPET Chair Eliud Wafula.
With fewer than 5,000 Trans Nzoia members descending to the AGM to elect new officials, the eyes of politicians are set on the prospective aspirants who will later reap the benefits of their victory during the 2027 General Election.
Most interest is centred on the contest for the Executive Secretary, the Chair, Treasurer, Organising Secretary and the Women’s Rep slots.
Investigations revealed that some secondary school teachers are still subscribing to KUPPET, as well as junior secondary teachers, giving them an edge over their KESSHA counterparts.
Currently, there is a push and pull between KNUT and KUPPET over where the JS teachers fall. Still, it seems that most teachers, even after graduating from primary to secondary schools, believe that KNUT has better bargaining powers with their employer, the TSC.
Also on target are the KNUT and KUPPET sister organisations, which share the same membership across both levels of the schools. Such organisations include KEPSHA and KESSHA, whose membership is mandatory.
Although other organisations, such as the Trans Nzoia Housing Cooperative Society, the Trans Nzoia Women’s Housing, and the Burial and Benevolent Fund, offer voluntary membership, politicians will be keen to secure their support ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
There are approximately 624 public primary and secondary schools and institutes in the county, with the primary schools carrying the largest number of teachers, where the concentration of politicians is likely to be found.
By Abisai Amugune
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