A section of members of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has moved to block the registration of officials elected during the union’s National Executive Board elections held on April 18, 2026 at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
In a formal petition addressed to the Registrar of Trade Unions, the aggrieved members are seeking to stop the registration process pending investigations into what they term as widespread irregularities and violations of both the Labour Relations Act and the KUPPET Constitution.
The petitioners argue that the elections were fundamentally flawed due to the alleged failure by branches to convene Branch General Assemblies (BGAs) to elect pro-rata delegates as required by the union’s constitution.
They claim that delegates were instead handpicked at the county level, thereby compromising the legitimacy of the Electoral College.
They are also challenging the eligibility of some candidates and voters, citing provisions of the Labour Relations Act that restrict union membership and voting rights to unionisable employees. According to the complainants, retirees, resignees and Members of Parliament were allowed to contest and vote despite not meeting the legal threshold.
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The members further allege non-compliance with statutory requirements on transparency, including failure to avail the voters’ register at least 60 days before the election date.
They say this denied members the opportunity to verify delegates and raise objections in good time.
Another key issue raised is the expiry of the term of outgoing national officials. The petitioners contend that the officials’ five-year term had lapsed before the elections and that allowing them to contest again was contrary to the law.
In addition, allegations of bribery have been cited, with claims that Mpesa transactions were made to influence delegates on the eve of the polls.
The petitioners say they have attached evidence to support their claims and are urging the Registrar to conduct a thorough probe.
Through an accompanying mobilization message, members across branches have been urged to urgently fill in and submit formal complaints — including their TSC numbers and signatures — before the registration of the new officials is finalized.
The petitioners maintain that unless the process is halted and investigated, registering the officials would legitimize what they describe as a compromised election.
Efforts to obtain a response from KUPPET’s national leadership were ongoing at the time of publication.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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