Some Homa Bay Kuppet aspirants have asked their opponents in the union polls to shun propaganda that can polarise members head of their January 24 elections.
The group allied to county executive secretary Stephen Yogo and treasurer Beatrice Awiti said their opponents were spreading falsehoods likely to cause division.
Speaking in Rangwe on Sunday during their final campaigns, Yogo told teachers to strive for unity.
“Our opponents have resorted to misinforming the members as they seek election support. They criticise everything we do, including things which can divide the union,” Yogo said.
Yogo who is defending his seat in the election told the teachers to play their politics based on ideas rather than tainting the union’s leadership’s reputation.
The executive secretary said his office is committed to promoting the welfare of teachers.
“We have so far sponsored 349 teachers who were trained by the Knec as examiners and we want to sponsor more than 600 others. We are also in the process of signing a concession with Maseno University and Tom Mboya University College to give teachers who want to go for further studies a discount on fees,” Yogo said.
Awiti told teachers eyeing elective seats in the county to carry Kuppet in their hearts.
“Kuppet belongs to all of us hence we should make only utterances which can promote it,” she said.
Awiti assured teachers of their security during the election.
The polls have attracted two factions of teachers eyeing various elective positions. They are campaigning for 10 positions.
They are Team Focus headed by Yogo who is defending his seat and Team Sanity headed by Tom Odhiambo who is eyeing the executive secretary position.
Odhiambo, however, dismissed Yogo, saying they tried to block them from vying the seats.
“Yogo and his team have on several occasions plotted to manipulate the election. They are the people deploying crooked methods to remain in office,” Odhiambo said.
Other aspirants in Odhiambo’s team are John Owino for chairman, Churchill Aroko (assistant executive secretary), Edwin Achola (organising secretary) and Felix Oduor (assistant treasurer).