As the debate on two third gender rule rages in the country, Turkana head teachers have demonstrated that with goodwill it is possible to meet this constitutional threshold.
The head teachers led by example by electing male and female contestants on a 50-50 basis during their Kenya Secondary School Headteachers Associations elections.
In elections held at Lodwar boys’ high school on Friday, the teachers in one of the regions dominated by men in leadership positions defied the odds and embraced their female contestants.
In yet another show of democracy, the teachers ensured that three out of the eight candidates who do not hail from the county were elected to leadership positions of the head teachers association.
Raphael Lotum who is also the Principal of Loima boys secondary school was elected chairperson and will be deputized by Anne Matumbai.
Mrs Matumbai is the current Principal of Salvation Army, Nawoitorong secondary school.
Mrs Matumbai hailed their male counterparts for electing women in the lea
dership positions.
Nicodemus Ingolan was elected KESSHA secretary Turkana chapter branch and will be deputized by Beatrice Njogu.
The Principal of Milimatatu Girls Secondary School Beatrice Saiya, and Godson Okello were elected treasurer and vice treasurer respectively.
The organizing secretary seat was clinched by Loima Girls secondary school Principal Elizabeth Merimung who will be deputized by Naukot Anderson of Kaptir Mixed secondary school.
Addressing the press after the elections at Lodwar boys’ high school, presiding officer who is also the Turkana County TSC Deputy Director Solomon Muyela said the exercise was transparent and fair.
A total of 61 head teachers took part in the elections that saw all officials elected unopposed.
Muyela urged the incoming officials to be very consultative, resilient because they will be required to deal with many stakeholders in the education sector including TSC and the Ministry of Education.
‘I urge you to uphold values of integrity, professionalism, and dedicat
ion as you participate in this democratic process,’ Muyela had said prior to the voting.
‘Let us ensure that the candidates elected reflect the highest standards of leadership and commitment to the betterment of our educational institutions,’ he added.
Incoming KESSHA chairperson Raphael Lotum said his team worked discreetly underground and ended up catching their opponents unawares, making them throw in the towel after they realized they were outwitted.
He said his team had managed to win over 50 head teachers out of the 61 before the last campaign lap.
He pledged to strengthen the welfare issues of the teachers.
However, Lotum extended an olive branch to the outgoing team and pledged to consult them for the betterment of the teachers and education sector in the county.
He lauded them for supporting sports activities in schools and welfare issues and vowed to tap into their experience.
Nicodemus Ingolan who was elected KESSHA secretary Turkana chapter branch said the team is ready to work together to
propel issues of education to higher heights.
He pledged to ensure that all decisions made by the association will be implemented to the letter.
Source: Kenya News Agency