Campaigns to replace senior Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Siaya branch official who joined the national office have kicked off in earnest, with a former branch chairman Alex Dunga launching his campaigns.
Speaking during the launch, held at a Siaya hotel, local KNUT branch officials called for peaceful and sober campaigns as those who will be interested in filling the branch executive secretary slot move around wooing teachers.
Siaya branch treasurer, Zebedee Omondi Oriwo said that as a union, they would want teachers to approach the by election professionally.
“Teachers must stay united before, during and after the by election if we are to have a strong and vibrant branch” said Oriwo.
The vice chairman of the Siaya KNUT branch, Oscar Asol said that the branch executive secretary slot should be filled with a candidate from Alego / Usonga constituency which had no top position in the branch.
“Since teachers from Alego/ Usonga are solidly behind Alex Dunga, there should be no need for a waste of resources. He should be declared a winner unopposed” he said.
Addressing the occasion, Dunga, the head teacher of Segere primary school said there was need for even distribution of posts amongst the sub counties of Ugenya, Gem, Ugunja and Alego / Usonga which comprise Siaya KNUT branch.
He said he was ready to fight for the profession as well as social progression of teachers and the education sector and called for support from the four sub counties.
The branch executive secretary position fell vacant recently when Clement Omollo, the holder, was elected the national assistant secretary general during a recent KNUT annual general meeting.
By Philip Onyango
