By John Ochieng
For the very first time a female teacher has been elected as branch spokesperson in Migori County and by extension in Nyanza region.
Eunice Onyango Bosco beat all the odds to become Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Rongo branch Executive Secretary beating her closes competitor, Patrick Ochieng, by a large margin.
Onyango garnered 759 votes with Ochieng trailing closely with 493 votes. The win makes Onyango to be the first woman to have landed the post previously dominated by men for decades.
The by election which was held at Sony Primary School was occasioned by the retirement of Thomas Ochiel Awino. Onyango, who was until her election, was a teacher at Sare Primary School in Awendo Sub County while Ochieng was branch Assistant Executive Secretary.
In her maiden speech, she said her main focus will be to unite teachers in the region and at the same time device ways of empowering teachers economically.
“We will ensure teachers rights are jealously protected,” she stated.
The by election which was overseen by the union’s top national officials that included Chairman Wyclif Omucheyi, Secretary General Wilson Sosion, National Treasurer John Matiangi, and the First Assistant National Chairman Collins Oyuu was peaceful.
The teachers’ leaders hinted on the possible strike over the implementation of the new Competency Based Curriculum, whose idea they said is still raw for implementation.
Other posts that were contested were Assistant Executive Secretary that was won by Tom Odipo who trounced Marren Otieno Osiany and Cornel Ayanga. Awendo Branch Executive member was clinched by Nick Odhiambo
