The Star political and parliamentary reporter Julius Otieno has been elected the new secretary-general of the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA).
Otieno floored his competitor Chweya Iteba of Getembe TV to win the seat.
The senior political writer garnered 55 votes representing 87 percent of the total votes cast against Iteba’s eight votes.
Until his election, Otieno was the deputy secretary of the Association that brings together all the parliamentary reporters in the country.
“I want to thank my colleagues for trusting me with this position. I commit to diligently serve them and advance their interests for the prosperity of the Association,” Otieno said moments after being declared the winner.
The polls were presided over by Deborah Mapusi, who was seconded to oversee the poll by National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula who is the Association’s patron.
In the polls, KTN’s Duncan Khaemba was elected unopposed to retain his chairmanship position.
Elizabeth Mutuku (TV47) narrowly beat People Daily’s Mercy Mwai to retain the vice chairperson position.
Mutuku got 32 votes against 30 of Mwai.
Edwin Obuya of Radio Citizen beat Mary Wangari of Taifa Leo to become the new deputy secretary general. He garnered 50 votes against Wangari’s 13.
Capital FM’s Irene Mwangi was elected unopposed as the Treasurer.
The post of Association’s organising secretary went to Boniface Mwongera (Weru TV) who defeated Daily Nation’s Collins Omulo in the hotly contested election.
Mwongera got 32 while Omulo garnered 21.
The position of the Liaison officer went to Kamche Menza of KBC TV who beat Boniface Okendo of The Standard newspaper by 37 against 36 votes.
KPJA currently boasts over 60 members. It advocates for the welfare of parliamentary reporters.