Teachers split over Knut polls
What you need to know:
- This came as the Nyanza regional council vowed to support Mr Nzili’s candidature, with teachers from Kisumu and Siaya asking Mr Sossion to stick to his current position.
Campaigns for the teachers union boss intensified Thursday, with officials in Rift Valley endorsing Mr Wilson Sossion while those in Nyanza backing Mr Mudzo Nzili.
The two Kenya National Union of Teachers chiefs are locked in a fierce battle for the secretary-general seat that fell vacant after the death of Mr David Okuta.
Mr Sossion (the chairman) is eyeing the post while Mr Nzili (the acting secretary-general) is seeking confirmation.
Rift Valley Knut regional council yesterday endorsed Mr Sossion’s bid, saying, he had demonstrated his ability to fight for the teachers’ rights.
Addressing the Press after a closed-door meeting with representatives from all the region’s 14 counties, council chairman Kuria Njau said Mr Sossion had led the union courageously, especially during the July teachers’ strike. “Teachers in this country are oppressed and we want a strong leadership that will steer the union to higher levels,” he said.
The officials agreed to set up a network and marshal support for Mr Sossion’s bid in all regions.
Mr Sossion, who attended the meeting in ex-officio capacity, said Knut was a democratic body, and he was optimistic that the polls would be fair.
“I am happy that Rift Valley has decided that it will ensure equity at the headquarters by not fielding any other candidate for the national office,” he said.
This came as the Nyanza regional council vowed to support Mr Nzili’s candidature, with teachers from Kisumu and Siaya asking Mr Sossion to stick to his current position.
Nyanza Knut regional council secretary Tobias Ogalo warned that should Mr Sossion abandon his seat, it would lead to another by-election that might split the union.
“We are in support of the acting secretary-general Mudzo Nzili because we believe he can deliver well on his duties. For Mr Sossion, let him stick to his current position.”
He said Knut tradition dictates that the secretary-general seat goes to Coast, Nyanza or Nairobi, while the chairman position is reserved for Western, Central and Rift Valley.
Additional reporting EVERLINE OKEWO
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