Chaos rocks election of teachers’ officials

One of the delegates storms out of the hall where the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association were holding elections of new officials on June 17, 2018. The delegation from Central region accused the election officials of plot to lock out their preferred candidate. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Central delegation caused a ruckus that lasted for about 20 minutes forcing election officials to seek dialogue over issue.
  • After the delegation and the election officials, Mr Willy Kuria was elected unopposed as the national secretary.

Chaos erupted Sunday during the election of new officials of Kenya Secondary School Head Teachers Association (KESSHA) after delegates from Central region demanded regional balance.

The delegates from Central surged towards the dais as they demanded stoppage of elections, causing a 20-minute ruckus at the Wild Waters in Mombasa where the high school principals are attending their annual conference.

The delegates accused the election officials, including KESSHA Chairman Indimuli Kahi, of discriminating against them and seeking to lock out their preferred candidate.

Chaos rocked election of new officials for Kenya Secondary School Heads Association on June 17, 2018 after delegation from Central accused officials of plot to sabotage election of their candidate. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

“We know there is a scheme to lock out a candidate from Central and replace him with someone from Rift Valley. We will not allow this discriminative act to continue,” said Mr Kamau Kamatu, who is the principal of Thigio Boys High School.

Delegates from Central protest by walking out of the election hall at Wild Waters in Mombasa after falling out with poll officials. After a ruckus that for a litter over 20 minutes, the Central delegates preferred candidate was elected unopposed. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The election was stopped for about 10 minutes for election officials and representatives from Central region to settle the issue.

After an agreement was reached, the Central delegation returned carrying shoulder-high their preferred candidate Mr Willy Kuria.

Mr Kuria, who is the principal of Murang’a High School, was elected the national secretary unopposed.

“Our main concern was a meeting was held at night and slots were allocated. It was agreed the position of the national secretary as reserved for Central but we read mischief after officials tried to sneak in Ms Grace Wanjiku from Rift Valley,” said Mr Kamatu.

Mr Kahi retained his seat as Amos Cherono was elected as national treasurer to be deputised by Mr Benjamin Ngau.

Mr Ezekiel Ayieko is the new vice organising secretary while Mr Boniface Karisa was elected the vice chairman.

Mr Ibrahim Fara is the vice secretary.

Some delegates opposed the re-election of the chairman while female delegates complained of gender imbalance.