Kuppet to elect new leaders today ahead of June deadline

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori  [PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO/Standard].

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) will conduct its national elections today. Laikipia County Branch Executive Secretary, Ndungu Wangenye, has declared interest in the secretary general’s position currently held by Mr Akello Misori (pictured).

The position of vice national treasurer shall also be contested as Robert Nyabuto, former Narok County executive secretary has expressed interest to replace Mr Ronald Tonui, the incumbent.

Further details however show that most current national office bearers are likely to sail through unopposed as no candidates have come out to challenge them. The Employment and Labour Relations Court this week gave the elections a green light after some three members challenged the election date. “The respondents shall proceed with elections scheduled for March 19. And that the national elections notice issued on January 13 by the respondent/union to the Commissioner of Labour is valid and was properly issued,” reads the court document dated March 9.

Misori yesterday said the court’s decision to allow elections to proceed as scheduled, will ensure the union beats the June deadline set by the registrar of trade unions.

Misori said the elections will also give the union adequate time to participate in the upcoming Central Organisation Trade Union (Cotu) elections scheduled for May. Kuppet is an affiliate member of Cotu. Speaking yesterday, Misori said without valid elections, Kuppet may be locked out of salary talks with the Teachers Service Commission. “We must hurry to complete elections in time because we may be locked out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement talks,” said Misori. Information from Kuppet indicates that branch elections that began in February 11 are nearly complete, with the last branch elections set for Nairobi, Kwale, Lamu and Tana River today and tomorrow. The union has 44 branches. Kuppet national leadership comprises 10 officials. Omboko Milemba, who is the national chairman and his deputy Julius Korir have not been challenged in today's polls.

Misori’s deputy Moses Nthurima has also not been opposed, which means he shall easily sail through the exercise. Mwethi Njenga, who currently holds the national treasurer’s position will also be unanimously elected since so far no one has come up to challenge him on that position.

Other positions not challenged are secretary gender currently held by Catherine Wabilyanga, secretary tertiary held by Sammy Chelanga and the secretary secondary under Edward Obwocha. Elections shall be held at Kasarani, Nairobi. Misori said the four union trustees shall be elected in December during the union’s Annual Delegate’s Conference.