The Kenya Universities Staff Union ( KUSU) Secretary General elect Dr Charles Mukhwaya has appealed to union’s officials to be conversant with its constitution to enable them fight for and protect the rights of members effectively.

Speaking at Ufanisi Resort in Kisii County during the election of the Union’s officials, he said the union had conducted election for nine out of 20 branches, adding polls for the latter will be conducted after the Union liaises with the Registrar of Trade Unions.

He challenged them to protect the instruments of governance, stressing that if they violate it, the government will proscribe and it will be de-registered and members will suffer.

“We are going to hold the elections in the eleven branches in our next Annual Delegates Conference. I urge the affected branches to fight qualified members to be brought on board,” Mukhwaya told the delegates.

He appealed to the delegates to be firm as they fight for the interest of the members and challenged those who fear to resign and pave way for committed and brave ones take over.

The SG appealed to the delegates to support the officials and challenged the latter to be prepared to handle hurdles by the employer, the government and the international community.

“The International Monetary Fund ( IMF), the employer and the workers will be focusing on you. So, be prepared to face them,” Mukhwaya stated.

During the exercise presided over by Returning Officer ( RO)Acting Labour Commissioner, Hellen Apiyo, Mukhwaya, was elected Secretary General, Dr Philp Onyango, chairman, Engineer James Makori, Treasurer, Ernest wayaya, Organizing Secretary, Aggrey Osogo, Deputy Secretary General, Custine Wanza, Vice chairperson, Lynn Kipkosgei, Deputy Treasurer and Rola Njoroge, Women Representative. Isaac Ndiritu, Robert Nyakundi and Tom Oloo were elected national Trustees.

Nickson chege was elected Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Branch Representative, Peter Waita, University of Nairobi, Isaac Lokeris, Kenyatta University, Zakayo Kamangu, Dedani Kimathi, jackline Nyaboke, Maseno, Moses Nyandusi, Kisii university, John Ogwang, Technical University of Mombasa, Ronald Wamalwa, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and Kennedy Mangale, Egerton.

The SG lauded the RO for conducting the election peacefully, noting it was organized, professionally done and the delegates were satisfied with it.

He appealed to the civil societies, opposition and trade unions, which fought for the constitutional reforms to be vibrant and foster checks and balances in the government.

“Trade Union leaders must be ready. We are headed to rough waters and that is why we conducted the election to be stable,” Mukhwaya said.

He urged the officials to offer exemplary leadership and have self respect for the union to be respected and supported to protect the rights of members.