West FM fans have been urged to work in solidarity as one way of ensuring they uplift their living standards. These were sentiments of Nandemu Barasa, Head of Radio at West FM, during the election day of Trans Nzoia County fans when electing the officials of their umbrella.
He, however, stated that a good leader is ultimately selected by God and advised them to vote wisely for their leader.
“I just want to say that togetherness brings prosperity and as you are going to cast your vote think wisely before doing it, ask God to direct you because the decision you are going to make in today’s exercise will determine your well-being and progress in the umbrella,” said Nandemu.
Elected leaders expressed their joy for being voted for and they promised to work hand in hand with other fans to make the umbrella successful.
Festus Natili from Shalom Salaams Club, who was elected as Vice Chairman, urged members to observe high discipline and integrity. However, he advised them to have respect for each other.
Amos, also known as sir Amos from Lukhome chairman of Digital Salaams, a representative of the club expressed his joy, given that the election was free and fair. He urged the newly elected board to work in unison to unite all members of the umbrella. He stated that there have been problems in the umbrella where salaams clubs were being formed without even other members’ consent something he said brought misunderstanding and confusion among members. He also said the umbrella officials should have integrity, especially when it comes to money matters.
“Am happy because today’s election has been free and fair, I urge the newly elected board to consider few things when managing the umbrella; to try all ways and unite all members of the umbrella initially we have had a problem of mistrust in the umbrella where salaams clubs were being formed without consultation from the chair and this really has created much confusion, therefore, I urge the elected board to be firm and strict on the forming of new salaams clubs. I would like to see Trans Nzoia umbrella prosper and this is only achieved through openness especially the welfare chairman and the treasurer, for instance, we have been contributing money to take to the funeral when one of us is bereaved but you find that all the money contributed is not taken to the owner. Lastly, I would like to appreciate West FM representatives who have come to conduct our election,” said Sir Amos.
Rose Nafula Vice Chair lady Lumwema Women Salaams Club thanked all members who participated in the election process and having trust in her and elected her as the treasurer of the umbrella.
Christopher Masika who was chosen as a representative in the umbrella from Muroki said that he wishes to see openness in the umbrella especially on money issues. He also urged members to avoid rumours but instead consult issues from their leaders before informing other people.
Gadaffi Tosha from Kolongolo a representative of Shalom Salaams club said that leader’s that were elected are supposed to work hard and call for meetings that bring together members. He pointed out that leaders should have plans that bring prosperity. He again urged leaders to be holding meetings in all Salaams club but not just in Kitale town. He cited that the work of welfare is a bit tedious therefore wanted the welfare chairman to work tirelessly to ensure that all members are contented especially during the time when one of the members is bereaved.
“Leaders that have been elected you are supposed to work extra hard and have plans that will bring progress in the umbrella. As you call for meetings bear in mind that the meetings are to be rotational in all salaams clubs for this will help bring togetherness and members will have a chance of knowing each other, welfare job is somehow cumbersome therefore the chairman should be fast and in the fore front to mobilize members when one of us is grieved,” he uttered.
David Sabiri a member from Lumwema A Salaams Club appreciated West Media representatives who sacrificed their time and went to conduct the election in a free and fair way. He also urged the elected board to choose a disciplinary master when they will hold their first meeting where he cited that the umbrella had gone down due to rise in indiscipline cases. He told those members who are fond of complaining after the election to be satisfied with the election of that day because was free and fair.
“I take this opportunity to thank West Media representatives for conducting the process in a free and fair way; I urge the elected board when having the first meeting to choose a disciplinary master who will deal with queer characters. You find that our umbrella has gone down because of indiscipline cases, and for those people who always complain that election is never conducted well from here stop complaining because for sure this has been one of free and fair elections among all that we have ever had,” said Sabiri.
Zipporah Watima Chairlady Lumwema women Salaams Club expressed her joy on how the election was conducted and cited that initially they had a problem in the leadership and said that the problems will be sorted out since the new board has been elected. More so, she urged members to work in unity.
“Am happy for the election, we have had a problem in the past leadership but since we have got a new one I know that we shall work together and for those who have had no trust in the umbrella just come back and let us work as one team,” she said.
Pamela Abuyeka former chairlady for Trans Nzoia umbrella accepted the results and said that she is ready to work with the newly elected board. She also appreciated the elections because gender balance was observed.
“I have accepted the results because leadership is all about changing and working in unity, I urge the new office to work together, I also thank West Media because it was through it that we had to form Saalams Clubs that have been so beneficial to us, more so, I would like to appreciate them for conducting this election. For those that are never satisfied with election you have to stop your petty politics and make the umbrella go ahead. Again would like to laud the gender balance that has been observed. As the former chair we had began certain work but was not yet accomplished therefore I urge you to proceed with it and finish as expected. Am also ready to give any assistance if the new office will need any consultation from me because we are to do this for the benefit of the umbrella,” she said.
John Sitwet a representative of Shalom Salaams Club urged leaders to have togetherness and cited that Trans Nzoia umbrella is left behind because of disunity and conflicts. He also urged members to have trust in the elected leaders for they are the ones who will lead them and be like Bungoma and Kakamega Umbrellas.
“I urge leaders to work in solidarity and togetherness; we are left behind progressively because of disunity and conflicts amongst ourselves. Let us focus ahead and emulate what other umbrellas do thus Bungoma and Kakamega,” said Mr. Sitwet.
The election exercise brought together 71 leaders of different Salaams Clubs and 10 members from the clubs who acted as observers.
Leaders elected were as follows:
Chairman- Silas Omanyo from Lumwema A Salaams Club.
Vice Chairman- Festus Natili from Shalom Salaams Club
Secretary- Edward Kenyani from Nakhosi Salaams Club
Vice Secretary- Hellen Wekesa from Kiminini Salaams Club
Treasurer- Rose Nafula from Lumwema Women Salaams Club
Organising Secretary- Barasa Lungai from Kimondo Salaams Club
Welfare- Emmanuel Wandabwa from Sinai Salaams Club
Representatives from Salaams Clubs were as follows;
Digital- Sir Amos
Pamoja- Robert Matope
Kenda Mungo- Benard Power Saw
Muroki- Christopher Masika
Jaemnazi- Jane Nyongesa
Kisawai- Tom Kitimoto
Mwangaza and Endebess/ Khalwenge Salaams Club never had a representative because they never turned up for the exercise but still will bring forth the names of their representatives in the umbrella.
Some of West Media staff that conducted the exercise were Nandemu Barasa Head of Radio at West FM, Victoriah Nang’oni Sindani, Mike Musikoyo and Peter Nyongesa.