Former Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Chairman Mr Juma Kwayera has been re-elected to his old position while investigative reporter Nyambega Gisesa who has been calling for radical reforms in KUJ elected to the union’s Governing Council.
Eric Oduor retained his position as Secretary General in the elections held on Saturday January 30 at the union’s offices in International Life House.
Mr Kwayera, who now works for The Kenyan, defeated Standard’s Mwaniki Munuhe to win the chairman’s position by a landslide. The rest of the positions for the executive went unopposed.
During the meeting, journalists expressed dissatisfaction with the running of the umbrella body.
“This union has failed to effectively advocate for the interests of journalists. We are calling on the new team to draft strategies for increasing the visibility of the union,” political reporter Isaac Ongiri said.
Mr Gisesa accused the officials of running the organization like a cartel and said that KUJ had become a laughing stock among trade unions.
“This union should be among the most important umbrella bodies in the country. However, we are holding elections in which there are not even aspirants willing to compete for various positions. The new team has to change the constitution and draft a mechanism for attracting more members,” Gisesa said.
Mr Oduor promised that the new team will change the constitution so as to include representatives from various regions.
