The Star's senior political and parliamentary reporter, Moses Odhiambo, has
been elected Chairman/President of the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists
Association (KPJA).
Odhiambo beat David Mwere of the Daily Nation
after garnering 34 votes against 14 in the polls conducted on Monday.
James Macharia, seconded from Speaker Moses
Wetang’ula's office, oversaw the elections as the Returning Officer.
“I declare Moses Odhiambo as the winner of the chairman’s
position,” Macharia declared at the media centre.
An ecstatic Odhiambo thanked his colleagues at
KPJA for the overwhelming vote and trust they had shown in him to steer the
association.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to
every member who believes in a KPJA that is stronger, more united, and more
effective in serving the needs of parliamentary journalists,” Odhiambo said.
He pledged to reach out to his competitor,
Mwere, for a united KPJA.
“To my worthy competitor, David Mwere, I
extend my sincere respect and gratitude. Your passion for this association is
undeniable, and your engagement throughout this process has only strengthened
our democracy.”
“I value your perspectives and sincerely hope
to count on your counsel and collaboration as we move forward. We need your
ideas and energy,” he added.
“My door is open to every member. Together,
let us now turn our attention to the work ahead—to addressing our challenges
with technology, access, and welfare, and to building an association we can all
be proud of.”
Odhiambo succeeds NTV's Duncan Khaemba, who
retires after serving the association for two consecutive terms.
Capital FM's Irene Mwangi has been elected
Vice President of the Association. She garnered 27 votes against 19 for Kamche
Menza of KBC.
Kamche has been serving as Liaison Officer of
the Association.
Mwangi swaps roles with Elizabeth Mutuku of
TV47, who was elected Treasurer. Mutuku has been serving as Vice President for
four years.
Mutuku got 26 votes against 20 for KBC's
Edward Kabasa.
Edwin Obuya of Radio Citizen was elected
unopposed as Secretary General of the Association. He succeeds Julius Otieno of
the Star newspaper, who did not defend his seat. Citizen TV's Emmanuel Too was elected unopposed as Organising Secretary
Collins Omulo of the Daily Nation was elected
Deputy Secretary General after beating his compatriot, Mary Wangari of Taifa
Leo.
Omulo got 36 votes, while Mary garnered 10
votes.
Josphat Thiong’o of the Standard newspaper
bagged the seat of Liaison Officer, beating Boniface Okendo, who works for the
same media house.
Thiong’o got 28 votes against 18 for Okendo.
