National Parents Association (NPA) Row As New Elections Are Called
A squabble is stirring up at the national parent’s body after a new faction began pushing for new elections.
This follows the High Court’s decision last year to dismiss the current national representatives, led by Nicholas Maiyo.
In his February 3, 2021 judgment, Justice Anthony Mrima ordered the Ministry of Education to hold new elections for National Parents Association (NPA) officials, noting that the Maiyo-led team was illegally in office.
Now, a new faction claims that another ruling by Justice Hedwig Ong’udi, issued on May 31, this year, invalidated Maiyo’s election.
“The Court directed the National Elections Board (NEB) of the Association to conduct fresh elections within 45 days. We have therefore declared vacant the under-mentioned positions within the Association and call for elections on August 27, 2022, at a venue to be communicated separately to the delegate,” said Moses Nthesi.
Nthesi, the chairman of the new faction’s national election board, also encourages parents interested in running for various elective positions to apply by August 15.
“Application forms will be obtained from the Board’s Offices on payment of a non-refundable fee of Sh2500,” said Nthesi in a notice seen by The Standard.
Maiyo, on the other hand, has dismissed the faction, calling them masqueraders who are not affiliated with their organization.
“We came into being in light of the Basic Education Act, but those ones exist under the Societies Act. And so, we are two different entities. And in fact, there are so many parent associations in the country like them,” said Maiyo.
According to Maiyo, his organization only represents public primary and secondary schools.
However, according to the notice, Nthesi will also have parent representatives in private schools, higher education, and tertiary institutions.
ALSO READ:
Nthesi also claims that his organization will elect representatives from the sub-sector of special needs schools, as well as primary, secondary, and nursery schools.
“As you can see, we are different entities and we are cautioning them to stop dragging our names in court because we are not them and they are not us,” said Maiyo.
In the 2021 ruling, Justice Mrima stated that there was insufficient public participation prior to the elections because some parents were denied the right to vote.
National Parents Association (NPA) Row As New Elections Are Called