Kabarnet: Newly elected Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Baringo Branch Executive Secretary Kenneth Chelagat has pledged to lobby for the creation of an office to serve teachers in remote parts of the county. Speaking after being declared winner in a hotly contested election at Kabarnet Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Chelagat stated his commitment to championing the welfare and improved working conditions of teachers, especially in the distant areas of Baringo South and Tiaty constituencies.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chelagat emphasized that members from these areas face numerous challenges, yet their union offices are located in safer administrative towns like Kabarnet and Eldama Ravine. He expressed his intention to propose the establishment of a new branch with his elected colleagues to ensure equitable services for Baringo’s teachers.
Chelagat achieved victory over Bishop Joshua Cheptarus, who was vying for a third term, by securing 776 votes. Cheptarus garnered 674 votes, while the third and fourth contestants, Dickson Baringo and Francis Yatich, received 154 and 62 votes, respectively. Chelagat was delighted that several members of his ‘Mwalimu Kwanza’ team attained top positions, highlighting their agenda’s strong alignment with the teachers’ interests in the extensive county.
Doris Kong’a, elected as the new branch treasurer with 938 votes against 711 for the outgoing Elizabeth Keitany, expressed her satisfaction with the results. She attributed their success to the teachers’ demand for transparency within the union and conveyed her readiness to serve the region’s educators, confident that the new leadership will meet expectations this time.
The election process, overseen by Baringo County Labour and Employment Director Rebecca Koskey, saw Silas Rutto retain the chairperson position with 699 votes, defeating Daniel Kipng’ok and David Chebii, who received 509 and 425 votes, respectively.
