Kericho County has made history after long-serving educator Ann Cheruiyot was elected as the new Executive Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kericho Branch, becoming the first woman in the Rift Valley region to occupy the influential seat. Cheruiyot secured a resounding victory during the branch elections held at Kapsoit Secondary School, where teachers from all six sub-counties gathered to cast their votes. She garnered an overwhelming 496 votes against her closest competitor, Gedion Mugun, who managed 95 votes. In her acceptance remarks, Cheruiyot pledged to champion teachers’ welfare with integrity, transparency, and equal representation for all members.
Cheruiyot’s win marks a significant milestone not only for the union but also for women representation in educational leadership across the region. Before securing this victory, she had previously contested in the last election cycle, losing to Stanley Mutai, who now serves as KNUT’s first national vice chairperson. Her persistence and strong grassroots support played a key role in her triumphant comeback. The election took place against the backdrop of heightened debates around the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), with teachers seeking firmer representation as the government continues restructuring the education system, including the establishment of a national taskforce to guide ongoing reforms.
Following the announcement of the results, stakeholders in the education sector called for greater inclusion of teachers’ unions in national decision-making, especially on matters affecting curriculum delivery. Kericho County Labour Officer Richard Litaba urged the government to integrate KNUT and other teacher bodies into the CBC review taskforce, arguing that classroom practitioners are best positioned to offer practical insights. With concerns still lingering among parents and educators over issues such as double transition pressures, infrastructure gaps, and implementation costs, Cheruiyot’s leadership is expected to bring renewed momentum to advocacy efforts. Her supporters say her historic victory could energize local teachers and inspire broader participation in union affairs as the sector braces for further adjustments under ongoing education reforms.