By SHABAN MAKOKHA
March 2, 2026| New officials have been elected to the Mumias branch of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), with a resounding mandate to champion teachers’ welfare, enhance local representation, and strengthen advocacy at the grassroots level.
The elections, held on February 28, 2026, drew a high voter turnout as members sought to install leadership capable of driving better outcomes in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations and addressing pressing local issues. The results saw a significant shake-up, with several incumbent officials being ousted.
Mr. Fredrick Okang’o was elected the new branch Executive Secretary, defeating three other contestants. He garnered 621 votes to clinch the coveted seat. His closest rival, Protus Ondaba, managed 513 votes, followed by Anzelimo Maero with 168 votes. The incumbent Executive Secretary, Cyprian Chibire, trailed in fourth position with 121 votes. Antonnete Nangabo will serve as the new Assistant Executive Secretary.
Mr. Okang’o’s slate swept the majority of the positions. In the race for branch chairman, Mr. Peter Makuba ascended from his previous role as vice chairman, securing 615 votes against his opponent Robert Awino, who got 496 votes. Mr. Makuba will be deputized by George Mbakaya.
Other elected officials include Ms. Ruth Shitandi as branch Treasurer, Ms. Margaret Omusore as the overall Woman Representative, Mr. Jacob Wamuswa as the BEC man from South Wanga, and Ms. Christine Echesa as the BEC woman.
However, the exercise was not without controversy. A section of teachers who turned up to vote were turned away after discovering their names were missing from the register. The disenfranchised teachers protested at the Mumias Complex Comprehensive School polling center, demanding answers.
They claimed they were bona fide union members, evidenced by monthly dues deducted from their payslips. “We are shocked that our names are missing from the voting register despite the Teachers Service Commission deducting our salary, yet this money does not reflect on KNUT accounts,” lamented Mr. Abdulkarim Chibole, a teacher from Nyakwaka Muslim Comprehensive School. Mr. Chibole stated he had been a member since 2015, consistently paying dues and even voting in the last elections.
Another teacher, David Omayo, expressed shock at being barred from voting. “My money is deducted from my pay slip every month. Who is taking this money because it is not reflecting on the KNUT account?” he questioned.
A senior official from the KNUT national office, Ms. Mercy Ndung’u, the second woman representative, attempted to explain that the issue stemmed from the ‘Agency fee’—a deduction from non-union teachers who benefit from salary increases negotiated through the CBA to cover administrative costs and professional expertise. Despite her clarification, the irate teachers continued their protests, though the voting process was not disrupted.
Amidst the chaos, the newly elected leadership struck a conciliatory tone and sharply defined their agenda. Chairman-elect Mr. Makuba thanked the teachers for exercising their democratic right and described the voting exercise as fair and transparent, despite the chilly weather.
“I appeal to teachers to give the necessary support to the new officials so that they can serve them better. We will unite all teachers in this branch and emancipate those that fall out,” he said.
The new branch Executive Secretary and spokesperson, Mr. Okang’o, celebrated the confidence teachers placed in him and promised diligent service for the next five years. He pledged that his team would waste no time in pushing for issues affecting teachers’ welfare.
“I promise that the new leadership at the Mumias branch will serve with integrity and defend the dignity of teachers. We will work together with other stakeholders to make the life of teachers in Mumias better. We will address each of them systemically. We will serve you diligently without discriminating against any teacher regardless of age, job group or gender,” said Mr. Okang’o.
He further regretted that teachers are working under strenuous conditions, attending to overcrowded classrooms driven by the rollout of the Competency Based Curriculum and the 100 percent transition policy.