Both Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties KUPPET branches have new executive secretaries after the long-serving office holders were voted out in the recent elections.
In Meru County, Morris Njira won a landslide, garnering 2,298 votes in an election where teachers turned out in large numbers.
Landslide Victory in Meru
He trounced the long-serving executive secretary Karuti Nchebere, who came third with only 324 votes, while Karithi Ampuria got 670 votes to settle for the second position.
Njira’s win marks a new chapter in the leadership of the teachers’ union in Meru County.
Douglas Koome won the chairman position, the treasurer seat went to A.N. Maore, while Nathan Kiprop took the organising secretary position.
In Tharaka Nithi County, teachers voted out the long-serving Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Executive Secretary Patrick Gitonga, ending his 28-year tenure and ushering in a new leadership team headed by classroom teacher James Njebiu.
Mr Njebiu, who teaches at Ikuu Boys’ High School, won the closely contested race in an election that members said signalled deep dissatisfaction within the union’s ranks.
The new county KUPPET team will be led by Mr Njebiu as Executive Secretary.
Other officials elected are Chairman Misiani Mambo, Treasurer Polly Nyamu, Assistant Executive Secretary Micheni Mbaka, Assistant Treasurer Mwenda Mbaka, Organising Secretary Eric Munene, Secondary Schools Secretary Gitonga Kiganka, Tertiary Institutions Secretary Immaculate Nthiga, Gender Secretary Sarah Muchoki and Junior Secondary School Secretary Gilbert Kithinji.
Several teachers who took part in the vote linked Mr Gitonga’s defeat to his handling of a prolonged dispute involving Joan Muchina, the embattled Chief Principal of St. Bakhita Chuka Girls High School.
The row dates back to last year when Mr Gitonga led a section of teachers in protests at the school, accusing Ms Muchina of defying a strike called by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers.
The demonstrations turned chaotic after students reportedly forced open the main gate and spilled into Chuka town.
Mr Gitonga accused the principal of mistreating staff and mismanaging students, claims that triggered protests by parents at the county offices of the Teachers Service Commission and at the school.
The TSC later directed Ms Muchina to step aside to pave the way for investigations, with her deputy taking over in an acting capacity.
However, some teachers now say the union’s approach to the dispute was mishandled and cost Mr Gitonga critical support.
“We were disappointed by the manner in which Mr Gitonga handled Mrs Muchina. That was not the best because most of the accusations were false,” said a teacher at St. Bakhita Chuka Girls High School who sought anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Lucy Waithira, a teacher from Tharaka North Sub-County, described the outcome as a generational shift in the county’s union leadership.
“It was time for a change. Gitonga has already retired after reaching 60 years of age. A retiree cannot adequately address the needs of teachers because some of the policies do not affect him directly,” she said.
“We cannot be led by a person who has retired because his only interest is the pay and not the interest of teachers,” she added.
Ms Muchina has consistently denied the allegations levelled against her, describing them as malicious and driven by personal interests.
She has urged the TSC to consider her performance record in previous stations.
“I am innocent. My accusers are people fueled by personal interests, some of them related to procurement matters,” she said in a recent statement.
Ms Muchina was transferred to St. Bakhita Chuka Girls High School in 2023, a move that sources say faced resistance from sections of local leaders, union officials and the school sponsor, the Catholic Diocese of Meru.
Before the transfer, she served as principal of Mwaani Girls High School for 5 years and 7 months, from 2018.
During her tenure, the school’s mean score on the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education rose from 5.0 to 7.2, while enrolment increased from 770 to 1,380 students.
The school also registered improvements in co-curricular activities, with its drama and choral verse teams advancing to national competitions.
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Infrastructure projects included the construction of additional classrooms and dormitories, renovations and the installation of a modern gate.
Mwaani Girls was recognised as the cleanest school in the Eastern Region, an award presented by then Regional Director of Education Dr William Sugut.
Former deputy principal Anne Boore previously described Ms Muchina as firm but results-oriented, crediting her leadership with improved discipline and academic performance.
Meru County KUPPET Officials
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary | Morris Njira |
| Chairman | Douglas Koome |
| Treasurer | A.N. Maore |
| Organising Secretary | Nathan Kiprop |
Tharaka Nithi County KUPPET Officials
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary | James Njebiu |
| Chairman | Misiani Mambo |
| Treasurer | Polly Nyamu |
| Assistant Executive Secretary | Micheni Mbaka |
| Assistant Treasurer | Mwenda Mbaka |
| Organising Secretary | Eric Munene |
| Secondary Schools Secretary | Gitonga Kiganka |
| Tertiary Institutions Secretary | Immaculate Nthiga |
| Gender Secretary | Sarah Muchoki |
| Junior Secondary School Secretary | Gilbert Kithinji |
The transition marks a significant shift in KUPPET’s leadership in Tharaka Nithi, with members signalling expectations of a new approach to union affairs.
By John Majau
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