This archive report was first published on 1 July 2021.
Professor Muga K'Olale, the long-serving chairman of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), has resigned ahead of national polls scheduled for Monday, July 5, 2021.
The resignation of K'Olale, which took effect on Thursday, July 1, 2021, comes after some officials from Egerton University's UASU chapter moved to court to contest his candidacy.
According to the union's bylaws, a candidate must either be elected in the chapter elections or co-opted by the incumbent elected in a chapter election to contest for a national position.
During the chapter elections, Prof K'Olale did not vie for a position at the Egerton chapter, but was later co-opted by some of the elected officials, giving him an opportunity to vie for the national chairman position.
However, weeks ago, some officials opposed to his co-option moved to court, which nullified his candidature for the national chairmanship last week.
Prof K'Olale has endorsed lawyer Grace Nyongesa from the Kisii University to succeed him as chairman.
Other key positions up for grabs include the secretary general, national treasurer, national organising secretary, assistant treasurer, and three national trustees.
