Eldoret Court Halts KNUN National Polls a Day to Elections
Justice Onyango directed the Secretary General to issue a fresh election notice in strict compliance with the union constitution,
Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN), addresses members of the media during a past public engagement. Image courtesy.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Eldoret has suspended the national elections of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN) that were scheduled to take place on Friday, February 6, 2026.
In interim orders issued on Tuesday, Justice Maureen Onyango halted both the election notice issued on November 20, 2025, and the planned polls, pending further orders of the court. The decision follows a petition challenging the legality of the union’s constitution and the credibility of its electoral process.
The case was filed by Kibii Koech Simion, a member of the union, who argues that the elections are unconstitutional and unlawful. He contends that the KNUN constitution adopted on December 16, 2022, and registered on August 28, 2024, was imposed without a lawful national referendum and in violation of internal union procedures and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
Justice Onyango issued the suspension after considering an application dated January 29, 2026, affidavits filed by the parties, a preliminary objection by the union, and oral submissions from counsel representing the petitioner, the respondents, and interested parties, including KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako, who appeared in person.
“The election notice dated 20th November 2025 … and the elections of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives scheduled for 6th February, 2026 are hereby suspended pending further orders of this court,” the judge ruled.
The court also suspended several provisions of the union’s constitution relating to governance and elections, including clauses under Articles VI and XVIII, which deal with administrative authority, eligibility, and electoral procedures.
Justice Onyango directed the Secretary General to issue a fresh election notice in strict compliance with the union constitution, particularly Articles XVII clauses 17.12 and 17.13. The court ordered that the notice be widely circulated to all members through personal addresses held by the union, branch secretaries, and shop stewards, in addition to publication on the union’s website and social media platforms.
Further, the court ruled that eligibility of candidates must strictly comply with the union constitution and Sections 31, 33, and 34 of the Labour Relations Act, 2007. The existing application and nomination forms were suspended, and the union’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was directed to develop fresh forms subject to approval by the Registrar of Trade Unions.
The ruling effectively halts the KNUN electoral process and places the union’s governance framework under judicial scrutiny. Justice Onyango directed that the full ruling be published within seven days, as the matter awaits further directions from the court.
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