The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Executive Secretary for Nyamira Branch Lewis Nyakweba has accused the union officials of including his name among those that passed controversial amendments during the 2024 Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) that was held in Vihiga in December, last year.
Nyakweba said that neither is he aware of those unfavourable clauses included into the constitution of the union nor any minutes purportedly supported by him during the ADC or in any other gathering.
“It has come to my attention that during the 2024 Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) held in Vihiga, my name has been recorded as having proposed minutes that introduced several unfavourable clauses affecting members,” he said in a statement.
He added, “I wish to categorically state that I am unaware of any such minutes purportedly proposed by me, either at the ADC or elsewhere in 2024.”
He further said that inclusion of his name in the minutes of the ADC is unlawful.
Nyakweba added that the whole matter is fabricated an was not involved in the discussions to have the constitution of union changed.
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The branch executive indicated that he has directed his advocate to issue notice of intent to the parties involved on his next action of suing them.
In December, controversial clauses were included into the constitution the union during the high tense Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) held in Vihiga which was characterized with violence with a section of delegates being blocked from entering the venue.
Some delegates revealed that hired goons were used to chase out any delegate who challenged the amendments.
As reported by Education News some of the clauses included raising the nomination fee for the Secretary General, National Chairman, and National Treasurer to Ksh500,000; while that of Deputy Secretary General, National Vice Chairman, National Organizing Secretary, National Gender Secretary, National Secretary Secondary, National Secretary Tertiary, and National Assistant Treasurer was raised to Ksh300,000.
Another amendment that was also passed during the ADC is the removal of the retirement age limit which is currently pegged at 60 years.
This move led has led to sharp differences in the union with some branch officials condemning the proposed changes.
Registrar of Trade Unions
However, Registrar of Trade Unions declined to approve the proposed amendments, citing numerous objections raised by members on both procedural and substantive grounds.
Acting Registrar Ann Kanake in a letter dated January 8, 2024, cited Article 13.0(a) (vii) of the constitution, which she said is against Section 34(2)(a) of the Labour Relations Act.
“As much as the Registrar acknowledges the presented application for amendment of the Union’s Constitution, it is trite for Registrar to also consider other attendant issues,” the letter read.
By Joseph Mambili
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