By Reuben Olita
Malaba Law Courts on Friday issued interim orders suspending the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Teso Branch elections that were scheduled for January 31, 2026, at Amagoro Comprehensive School grounds.
The orders were issued by Magistrate Zawadi Ogange under a certificate of urgency, pending the inter-partes hearing of the application. They were served on the KNUT Teso Branch, its Executive Secretary, and the Branch Chairman.
The court directed that the suspension remains in force until all bona fide Branch Executive Committee (BEC) members, candidates, and/or their representatives are duly notified, verified, and allowed to participate in the electoral process in accordance with the KNUT constitution.
The matter will be mentioned for directions on February 6, 2026. The court warned that any disobedience or non-observance of the orders will attract penal consequences.
The case was filed by the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) Teso Branch officials Joseph I. Isogoli and Simon Gichanga, KEPSHA representative, who moved to court seeking to stop the elections.
Through Laki Waswani Company Advocates, the petitioner argued that the planned elections violate the KNUT constitution, particularly through the alleged exclusion of KEPSHA representation in the Teso Branch leadership.
According to Isogoli, KEPSHA has a constitutionally guaranteed position in the union through representation in the Branch Executive Committee, but KNUT Teso Branch officials have allegedly ignored this provision.
“KEPSHA has a guaranteed position in the union as a BEC representative, but the union officials have chosen to ignore it. This amounts to segregation of headteachers and denies them representation in the union,” he said.
They explained that the KNUT constitution provides for a Branch Steering Committee comprising the chairperson, vice chairperson, executive secretary, assistant executive secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, and women’s representative. These officials are expected to form the BEC alongside representatives for post-primary education, Early Childhood Education (ECDE), persons with disabilities, KESSHA, and KEPSHA.
However, the petitioners alleged that the KNUT Teso Branch leadership has gone beyond constitutional provisions by creating additional positions while excluding the KEPSHA BEC slot, despite it being guaranteed.
“In Teso Branch, there are 15 positions being contested, unlike Busia Branch, where there are only 12 as provided for in the KNUT constitution. Worse still, 13 of these positions are unopposed,” he said.
They further claimed that the election notice was issued late, giving teachers only three weeks to prepare, which they argued disadvantaged potential candidates and suppressed competition.
“The delay was deliberate to ensure there would be no competition. Teachers were not given adequate time to prepare, which is why most candidates are going unopposed,” Isogoli said.
KEPSHA is also challenging the inclusion of what it terms KNUT-created BEC positions for Amukura, Chakol, Amagoro, and Angurai, arguing that these positions are not constitutionally provided for.
The association maintains that proceeding with the elections as scheduled would breach the KNUT constitution and undermine fair representation within the union.
Photo caption:
Petitioner Joseph Isogoli, who says the current KNUT Teso Branch leadership is infringing on KEPSHA’s rights by denying it a constitutionally guaranteed BEC slot.
