Long-serving UASU chairman Muga K’Olale resigns ahead of polls

Professor Muga K’Olale the long serving chairman of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) resigned from his post ahead of national polls set to be conducted on Monday next week.

K’Olale’s resignation on Thursday, July 1, came after some
officials from Egerton University’s UASU chapter moved to court contesting his
candidacy.

For one to contest for a national position, the union’s by
laws require that the candidate either be elected in the chapter elections or
be co-opted by the incumbent elected in a chapter election.

During the chapter elections, Prof K’Olale did not vie for a
position at the Egerton chapter.

Afterwards, some of the elected officials co-opted him in
the chapter’s leadership, giving him an opportunity to vie for the national
chairman position.

However, weeks ago, some officials opposed to his co-option
moved to court, which nullified his candidature for the national chairmanship
last week.

In his position, Prof K’Olale has endorsed lawyer Grace
Nyongesa from the Kisii University to succeed him.

Nyongesa will face Muiga Rugara from Jomo Kenya University
of Science and Technology’s for the position of chair.

The secretary general, Dr Constantine Wasonga, will face
Prof Kubasu Kwashe, a trustee at the Masinde Muliro University, and a former
national chairman of the union.

Cyprian Ombati of the University of Kabianga and Fred
Sawenja, the current national trustee, from the Technical University of Kenya
(Tuk) are neck to neck in the battle to fill the position of vice chairperson.

National Treasurer Janepher Kumba will be defending the seat
after beating up Dr Alice Lunani of Chuka and Dr Daniel Kirui of Moi University
in the last elections.

For the post of national organising secretary, Dr Onesmus
Maluki Mutio of Multimedia University will face off with Lynda Allan of TUK and
Mr Bonface Isalambo of Maasai Mara university.

For the assitant treasurer’s position, Weldon Keter of
Murang’a University will battle it out with Martin Kasina of Machakos
University.

On Wednesday, Chebunet the secretary of UASU’s Eldoret
chapter said lecturers are ready to elect the next team that will lead the
union for the next five years.

Maluki Mutio the secretary of Multimedia University chapter
said all is set for Monday’s election.

The lecturers are also expected to elect three national
trustees during Monday’s elections.

The position of trustees is fiercely contested by 20
lecturers across various universities in the country.