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 the winner in a closely contested election at Kabarnet Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Chelagat stated his commitment to lead efforts in championing the welfare and improved working conditions of teachers, especially in the remote areas of Baringo South and Tiaty constituencies.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chelagat highlighted that members in these regions face numerous challenges, while the union offices remain centered in more secure administrative towns like Kabarnet and Eldama Ravine. ‘We shall move a motion for the creation of a new branch with my other elected colleagues because the teachers of Baringo need equal services,’ Chelagat asserted.
Chelagat won the seat from Bishop Joshua Cheptarus, who was vying for a third term, by securing 776 votes against his main challenger, who received 674 votes. The third and fourth contestants, Dickson Baringo and Francis Yatich, garnered 154 and 62 votes, respectively. The unionist expressed satisfaction as several members of his ‘Mwalimu Kwanza’ team secured top positions from the outgoing leadership, noting their clear agenda resonated well with teachers in the county.
Doris Kong’a, elected as the new branch treasurer with 938 votes against outgoing Elizabeth Keitany’s 711, expressed happiness with the results, driven largely by teachers’ demand for transparency in the union. Kong’a affirmed her readiness to serve teachers in the region and expressed confidence in the new leadership’s ability to deliver.
The election exercise, presided over 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.
