- KNUT Rarieda Branch has concluded its long-delayed elections after a court injunction was lifted, with Michael Owade winning the Executive Secretary seat.
- David Okwang has been elected Branch Chairman, alongside a full slate of new officials, including the vice-chairman, treasurer and women’s representative.
- The branch has ended a prolonged period without elected leadership, following a legal dispute filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu.
Michael Owade has been elected Executive Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Rarieda Branch after securing 309 votes in elections held on Sunday at Nyilima Grounds.
Owade defeated incumbent Willis Odhach Achola, who garnered 255 votes, while George Anyona received 139 votes and Kevin Okell polled two.
The elections had been delayed for several months following a court injunction issued after George Anyona Arek filed a petition at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu challenging aspects of the electoral process and candidates’ eligibility.
The elections had initially been scheduled for March 6, 2026, alongside KNUT branch elections across the country. The court order issued on February 27 temporarily barred the Rarieda Branch from conducting the polls pending determination of the dispute. The legal dispute left Rarieda and Turkana among the branches whose elections were not held at the time other branches concluded their polls.
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The legal hurdle was subsequently cleared, paving the way for the Rarieda elections to resume on Sunday, September 27, at Nyilima Grounds.
In other results, David Okwang was elected chairman after garnering 449 votes against Boniface Okello’s 234.
Paul Alphonse won the vice-chairman position with 298 votes, defeating Gordon Orembe, who received 263, and Alfred Odhiambo, who polled 120.
Daniel Sadia was elected assistant secretary with 324 votes against Isaac Odomo’s 220 and Bernard Omondi’s 147.
Geoffrey Otieno won the treasurer’s position with 449 votes, defeating Fredrick Were, who received 270.
Daniel Ogonga emerged as assistant treasurer with 280 votes, ahead of Dan Okaka with 219 and Zackery Onam with 189.
Debora Anyango won the women representative position with 307 votes, followed by Millicent Akoth with 262 and Akoth Susan with 122.
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In the PWD representative contest, Nicholas Haga Adhoch secured victory with 453 votes against Peter Juma’s 220.
The conclusion of the Rarieda polls brings to an end a prolonged wait for teachers in the branch, which had been operating without an elected leadership following the court intervention.
By our Reporter
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