KUPPET’s NGC Members Revolt Against Leadership as Discontent Brews Among Top Officials.
The political and administrative dynamics within the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) became apparent during a tense meeting of the National Governing Council (NGC) on Friday, September 20.
The 70 out of 73 members of the NGC expressed their frustrations about how the National Executive Board (NEB) suspended the teachers’ strike on September 2, 2024.
Unionists from all 47 branches voiced concerns about the way the NEB handled the strike suspension. The NEB members themselves admitted that the decision revealed deep-rooted internal divisions. This situation suggested that the union’s leadership was facing significant challenges.
The union’s top leaders, including Secretary General Akello Misori, Chairman Omboko Milemba, Treasurer Mwethi Njenga, and Assistant Secretary General Moses Nthurima, acknowledged these differences but emphasized the importance of uniting the union to continue advocating for teachers’ welfare through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The meeting was so charged that two vocal branch secretaries, William Lokoiyap (Samburu) and Orwa Jasolo (Migori), were barred from speaking by Mr. Milemba and Mr. Misori.
Members were also unhappy about the use of bouncers, commonly known as “men in black,” for security instead of uniformed police officers. The NGC resolved that only police officers would provide security in future meetings.
Dissenting Voices and Calls for Transparency
Deputy Treasurer Ronald Tonui, alongside other NEB members like Edward Obwocha (Secretary for Secondary Schools) and Sammy Chelanga (Secretary for Tertiary Institutions), led calls for a more transparent and consultative approach in making future decisions about strikes.
Tonui highlighted that the recent strike suspension caused significant internal divisions, with some members feeling sidelined.
He emphasized that union decisions should respect structures and avoid secretive dealings. He also condemned the introduction of political maneuvering, especially rumors about Mr. Misori’s resignation, suggesting the matter be investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
TSC’s Role and Internal Union Politics
According to branch officials present at the meeting, TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia pressured the NEB into suspending the strike, a move that was officially confirmed by the NGC on September 20.
Mr. Milemba urged union leaders to focus on unity rather than jostling for positions ahead of the 2026 elections.
He reminded members of the pivotal roles previous KUPPET leaders played in the union’s history, stressing the need for the current leadership to avoid internal conflicts and strengthen KUPPET for the future.
Leadership Rift and Union Politics
Mr. Misori admitted that the strike suspension had exposed a leadership rift within the union, with branch secretaries openly criticizing the NEB’s decision.
He also acknowledged that political infighting had tainted the strike suspension process. Some branch officials, on September 16, lodged a petition seeking disciplinary action for misconduct by certain union leaders.
Although some petitioners sought to address the matter at the meeting, Mr. Misori assured members that the union’s Standing Disciplinary Committee would handle it.
Mr. Nthurima and Mr. Njenga called for collective responsibility, urging the NGC to rally behind NEB decisions, especially on strike-related issues. Mr. Njenga pointed out that early campaigning ahead of the 2026 elections had contributed to the internal divisions, exacerbated by the recent strike.
Age and Constitutional Challenges
There was a broader concern that most top union officials were over 60, exceeding the teachers’ retirement age.
Some feared this would lead to their ousting in the next election. Attempts to amend the union’s constitution to raise the retirement age to 65 have sparked debate within the union.
Grassroots Frustration
Kericho Branch Secretary Mary Rotich expressed frustration with how the strike suspension was communicated, calling it an anti-climax for grassroots officials and teachers.
She revealed that the suspension was announced while they were still organizing logistics for the second week of demonstrations.
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Other officials, such as Narok Branch Secretary Charles Ngeno, criticized KUPPET for yielding to TSC’s demands too easily and suggested that a neutral platform should have been used for any joint statements with TSC.
Conclusion
The tension-filled NGC meeting highlighted the growing discord within KUPPET over the handling of the teachers’ strike, exposing both political and administrative fractures in the union’s leadership.
While the NEB defended its decisions, members demanded greater transparency and a united front in addressing future challenges. The union faces a critical moment as it navigates internal rifts and the approach to the 2026 elections.
KUPPET’s NGC Members Revolt Against Leadership as Discontent Brews Among Top Officials.
