Friday, January 11, 2013

Teachers reject Isaac Ruto endorsement


By Edwin Makiche
Head teachers have dismissed an endorsement of Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto for the Bomet gubernatorial seat by Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) national chairman Wilson Sossion.
Addressing the Press at Mogogosiek town on Thursday, over 100 secondary and primary school head teachers from Konoin constituency dismissed Ruto’s endorsement as misguided, saying it does not represent the wishes of the teachers.
“We elected Sossion and other Knut officials to fight for our welfare and improve terms of service and not to dictate on who or not to elect. He therefore should deal with grave matters that still affect the teachers instead of engaging in cheap political manoeuvres,” said the teachers, in a statement read by Godfrey Rono, the Konoin Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha) secretary.
The teachers accused Sossion of using his influential position to propel selfish political interests, adding that they were never consulted before he and other officials endorsed Ruto.
Last Saturday, Sossion and Bomet Knut officials endorsed Ruto whom they described him as fearless and bold.
Sossion said Ruto’s performance as MP during the 10th Parliament was impressive and therefore could turn around Bomet’s fortunes, if elected the first governor.
Ruto will battle it out for United Republican Party (URP) ticket with Konoin MP Julius Kones during the January 17 nominations.
 Secret ballot
The two MPs and their supporters have been engaged in a long standing spat over the running of the party.
On Thursday, the teachers said they would support Dr Kones.
They argued that Kones’ performance as Konoin MP was unrivalled, adding that he developed schools and polytechnics.
Contacted, Sossion maintained that he still stood by his earlier declaration, adding that the teachers were at liberty to choose a governor of their choice.
“Voting is a democratic right and will be by secret ballot. No one has coerced any teacher to vote for Ruto,” he said.

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