The association boss talks of his journey, highlighting his plans to strengthen relations with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, as well as empowering more women in school boards of management (BoMs).
By Hezron Roy
Smarting from losing the Wemilabi Ward county assembly seat, David Silas Obuhatsa was in August elected National Parents Association (NPA) chairman to lead over 15 million parents in basic learning institutions, with a pledge to empower women to run schools.
He has high hopes that through NPA, the government will soon implement some of the most important and crucial education trainings that will cut across gender barriers for an all-inclusive process.
“I have come to learn that female parents hardly get an opportunity to serve as leaders in school management both at primary and secondary school levels,” lamented Obuhatsa, promising to have capable women to run the education institutions.
“I am looking forward to serving all parents equally in the country without fear or favour since all parents are equal and should be served without discrimination,” added Obuhatsa.
He identifies the various stakeholders in the education sector, including the ministry, TSC and the major trade Unions, as the organizations he is looking forward to working with to help promote parents’ participation in education matters.
His bid to replace Nicholas Maiyo was not a walk in the park. Maiyo had been found to be illegally in office and was ordered to vacate office to pave way for fresh elections by Justice Anthony Mrima.
According to the judge, a decision by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to allow the elections to proceed without giving others a chance to participate violated the rights of those aggrieved.
Maiyo’s team took over from outfits led by Nathan Baraza (Parents and Teachers Association) and Musau Ndunda (the Kenya National Parents Association), whose associations were merged to create one national representation of parents.
New election
Later in August 2022, a new faction emerged citing another judgment by Justice Hedwig Ong’udi, which was delivered on May 31, 2022, that also nullified Maiyo’s election as NPA Chair.
“The Court directed the National Elections Board (NEB) of the association to conduct fresh elections within 45 days. We have therefore declared vacant the under-mentioned positions within the association and call for elections on August 27, 2022, at a venue to be communicated separately to the delegates,” said Moses Nthesi, chairman of the faction’s NEB.
It is at this point that Obuhatsa made the application and declared his interest in the seat, and was elected the National Chairman of NPA; but Maiyo quashed the election to open another court battle.
Exit Maiyo, enter Obuhatsa
On September 19, 2022, the High Court again overturned the Maiyo’s.
At the same time, Justice Hedwig Ong’udi revoked the Gazette Notice No.8777 dated May 31, 2022, which recognized Maiyo and others as officials of NPA.
Other national officials of NPA who had been gazetted alongside Maiyo and whose election was revoked were Sarah Kagendo Mitambo, Jeremiah Nyakundi, Onesmus Johnes Kauwi, Patrick Lumumba Olali, Rose Otiak and Mr Mohammed Awadh Omar.
In addition, the court permanently restrained Maiyo and his entire committee from transacting any business on behalf of parents nationally.
They were further ordered to shortly hand over bank accounts, the website, receipt books, office files, sponsorship agreements, membership registers and any other official documents, including the offices on the 13th Floor No.1305 at the Reinsurance Plaza, bringing an end to Maiyo’s reign of 6 years.
Justice Ong’udi upheld the leadership of Obuhatsa who was gazetted alongside Joseph Lang’at (deputy national chairman), Eskimos Kobia Kirumbi (secretary general), Caroline Madina (treasurer), Nancy Chege (deputy treasurer), Cecilia Cheptumo (organizing secretary), John Njiraini (member), Rogen Mwawasi (member) and Absolom Mukuusi (member).
