'You have won the hearts of Kenyans,' teachers union tells President-elect Ruto

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has declared support for President-elect William Ruto noting that it looks forward to working with his administration following his victory in the August elections.

In a message published in the local dailies on Thursday, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said the union felt persuaded and optimistic about the prospects for the Education sector following the acceptance speech Ruto delivered on Monday.

"Pursuit of political leadership calls for intensive persuasion to the population towards winning their support to our dreams positions; this you have done and won the hearts of more Kenyans than your competitors," said Oyuu in the statement.

"Your reconciliatory tone in your acceptance and maiden speech after you were cleared has even encouraged us more after you affirmed that it was just a competition and not enmity." 

His sentiments mirror those made by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers(Kuppet) earlier this week when the body pledged to support the president-elect.  

Oyuu went on to urge the president-elect to address some of the challenges facing the education and business sectors once he takes over from outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House.

"As the Kenyan teachers, we look forward to seeing a united nation in your hands and a stronger administration that will prioritise education, the future of our children and proper management of teacher's labour matters," said Oyuu.

"As a trade union with an established, comprehensive and recognizable leadership structure, we have always asserted and reiterated our support for the government of the day; we therefore promise you total support as the president-elect."