KISUMU, Kenya Apr 2 – Preparations are in top gear ahead of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) national elections set to take place this Friday at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, as officials finalize arrangements to host delegates from across the country.Union leaders who toured the venue expressed confidence that everything is in place for a smooth and credible electoral process that will usher in a new leadership team for the 2026–2031 term.The exercise, which coincides with Good Friday, is expected to draw significant attention within the education sector and beyond.Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno, who addressed the press after inspecting the venue, said the union is fully prepared and eager to proceed with the long-awaited elections.“The day has come, as we have highly anticipated, for KNUT to have the national elections,” he said.Otieno confirmed that delegates have already started arriving in Kisumu, with about 2,300 representatives expected from 110 branches nationwide.He noted that the turnout reflects the importance of the exercise and the level of interest among members.“I’m also happy and ready to announce to you that delegates have already started streaming in the city of Kisumu,” he said.The elections had faced uncertainty following a court case that sought to halt the process, but Otieno said the matter has since been resolved, paving the way for the union to proceed as planned.“We want to thank the court and also we want to thank justice, because justice has been done to the Kenyan teacher through that process,” he stated.According to Otieno, nominations will be conducted a day before the elections, giving all eligible candidates an opportunity to present themselves.He emphasized that the process will be guided strictly by the union’s constitution and overseen in line with established procedures.“If any person qualifies within the procedure, that person will not be locked out to be a candidate. That’s the democratic space that we have,” he said.He further clarified that the eligibility requirements apply to all aspirants without exception, dismissing claims that certain individuals were being targeted.“I’m targeting myself because I’m a candidate too. If I meet the qualifications, then I’ll be here, I’ll be a candidate,” he added.Otieno also assured members that the elections will be conducted through a secret ballot, as stipulated in the union’s constitution, guaranteeing transparency and fairness.At the same time, security agencies have pledged to provide adequate protection throughout the exercise to ensure order and safety.