By Charles Ouma
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Busia branch is going to hold a by-election after two of its seats fell vacant following the appointment of its officials to the County’s government.
KNUT Busia chairperson Paul Ekwenye who doubles as the Western Region chairperson and Teso branch Executive Secretary Omuse Olakachuna were last week to serve as County Executive Committee Members (CECMs).
Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma appointed Ekwenye to serve as CECM for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs while Olakachuna was appointed to serve as County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Industry.
They were sworn in after the county assembly adopted the report of the Assembly Appointment Committee which vetted them and seconded their appointment.
Addressing the media shortly after being sworn in at the temporary governor’s office at Busia Agricultural Training Center in Busia town, Ekwenye urged teachers who are eyeing the two posts to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections likely to be held in December,
“To those who want to take up the seats we wish them well and we appeal to them to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections,” he said.
He also exuded confidence that the National Executive Council (NEC) position which Olakachuna was holding will be retained by a teacher from Busia County,
Ekwenye joined hands with the branch’s Executive Secretary Justin Majale to thank governor Otuoma for having faith in teachers and appointing two of them to serve in his government saying that it was a show of confidence to the teaching fraternity in the county,
“We take this opportunity to thank governor Otuoma for the opportunity he has given teachers by appointing two teachers out of ten CECMs in his government. We don’t take it lightly and want to assure him that we shall work closely with him to help him achieve his objectives for the next five years,” he said.
He also promised to put in place structures that will help nurture talents among youth in the county apart from improving sports facilities.
“There are many talents in this county which have not been realized and nurtured. I want to pledge that I will put in place mechanisms to nurture those talents among our youth. I will also make sure that sports facilities in the county like stadiums are improved so that our youth have better places to grow and nurture their talents,” Ekwenye said.
