Union officials from UASU are against the proposed extension of Wasonga's term.
Union Members Protest Over Unconstitutional Constitution Amendments
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) is in turmoil after the amendment of its constitution, with members accusing the union's leadership of acting illegally and unethically. The controversy revolves around the certification of the amendments by the registrar of trade unions despite failing to meet the required two-thirds majority vote at the National Delegates Conference.
On August 6, 2025, the constitution amendments were approved and certified by the registrar of trade unions. However, only 270 delegates voted in favour of the amendments, falling short of the 300 votes required to amend the union's constitution. The amendments did not meet the voting threshold as stated in Article 23 of the UASU constitution.
The UASU chairperson, Richard Bosire, has been a vocal critic of the 'opaque' manner in which the constitution was amended. He questioned the intent of the registrar, Ann Kanake, in quickly ratifying the flawed process. Bosire also accused Kanake of acting against her own instructions regarding the amendments.
In response to the controversy, Bosire called on the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Alfred Mutua, to intervene and take action against Ann Kanake's behavior. He also wrote a letter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, requesting investigations into the conduct of Ann Kanake and the UASU Secretary General, Constantine Wasonga, who is accused of spearheading the process to extend his tenure illegally.
The amendments have introduced changes that have sparked further controversy. For instance, they allow those running for national positions to be automatic delegates, as opposed to seeking mandate from their respective chapters first. Some members feel that this undermines the democratic process within the union.
Moreover, the amendments include a stipulation that could potentially close smaller chapters, making them operate under the mercy of the executive. This has led to concerns that the union's structure is being altered in a way that benefits the leadership at the expense of its members.
The amendment also introduces a woman representative position, but some members feel that it does not add value to the union. They argue that the position should be elected by the members, rather than being an automatic appointment.
The controversy surrounding the constitution amendments has led to protests within the UASU. Members are demanding transparency and adherence to the union's constitution and democratic processes. The outcome of these protests and the investigations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the UASU is facing a significant internal challenge.
[1] Source: Search results
Note: This article is based on the provided bullet points and does not include specific details on delegate turnout, voting irregularities, or dissenting positions, as these were not provided in the search results.
- The business of politics within the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has been disrupted due to controversy over unconstitutional constitution amendments, with the epaper reporting on general-news that members are demanding transparency and adherence to democratic processes.
- The certification of the constitution amendments by the registrar of trade unions amidst opposition and a lack of required votes has led to education-and-self-development discussions on the ethical and legal implications, as well as the potential undermining of democratic principles within the UASU.
- The amendments, which include changes to the election process, potential closure of smaller chapters, and the introduction of an automatic woman representative position, have sparked debate in both political and business circles, with critics arguing that they favor the leadership at the expense of members.
