KUPPET Kericho Branch executive secretary Mary Rotich is set to elevate her trade union leadership to the national arena as she vies for the position of Assistant National Treasurer of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), in elections scheduled for tomorrow at Kasarani Gymnasium.
She faces Lyn Kamadi in a closely watched contest for the position.
Rotich, who currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Kericho branch, has emerged as one of the most visible and influential voices in teacher advocacy within the region. Known for her firm but collaborative leadership style, she has built a reputation centred on accountability, policy engagement, and sustained advocacy for teachers’ welfare.
Her supporters describe her as a results-driven leader whose tenure in Kericho County has been marked by consistent engagement with both national and county-level education stakeholders.
She recently secured re-election in the branch, a result widely viewed as a strong endorsement of her leadership track record.
However, within union political circles, her candidacy has also attracted mixed interpretations, with a section of delegates and observers viewing her as a “NEB project” — an allegation linked to perceived backing from influential national structures within the union. Her camp, however, maintains that her rise is purely grounded in grassroots support and a proven track record in branch leadership.
Advocacy for Teachers’ Welfare
During her time in office, Rotich has been actively involved in lobbying for improved working conditions for teachers, with a particular focus on Junior Secondary School (JSS) educators. She has been vocal in pushing for the confirmation and absorption of JSS teachers into permanent and pensionable terms, arguing that job security is key to improving performance and stability in the education sector.
Her efforts have included sustained engagement with education authorities and policy discussions aimed at reducing uncertainty among young teachers entering the profession.
Focus on Hardship Allowances and Equity
Rotich has also taken a strong stance on the classification and protection of hardship zones. When proposals emerged to review or degazette hardship areas in parts of Kericho, she presented a formal memorandum to stakeholders, including elected leaders, urging that teachers working in challenging environments continue to receive appropriate recognition and compensation.
Her position has been consistent: equity in the education sector must account for the realities faced by teachers in remote and high-risk areas.
Health and Promotion Concerns
On matters of health coverage, Rotich has been an outspoken advocate for clarity and efficiency in the rollout of the Social Health Authority scheme. She has urged government agencies to ensure that educators fully benefit from promised medical coverage without delays or administrative bottlenecks.
At the same time, she has challenged the Teachers Service Commission over what she and other union officials term “limited career mobility,” calling for a review of the Career Progression Guidelines to create fairer promotion pathways for teachers across all cadres.
National Ambitions
As she campaigns for the Assistant National Treasurer position, Rotich is positioning her experience at the branch level as a foundation for national impact. She argues that financial stewardship within the union must be anchored in transparency, discipline, and accountability to members.
“Teachers deserve leadership that listens, acts, and delivers measurable change,” she has stated in previous engagements, emphasising her commitment to strengthening union structures and improving service delivery to members.
Growing Support Base
Within Kericho and beyond, Rotich is increasingly viewed as part of a new generation of union leaders seeking to reshape education advocacy through structured engagement rather than confrontation. Her leadership style—often described as firm but consultative—has earned her support among teachers who prioritise stability and progressive reforms.
As the KUPPET elections approach at Kasarani Gymnasium, delegates will ultimately decide whether her branch-level record will translate into a national mandate against Lyn Kamadi. If elected, she is expected to play a key role in financial oversight and broader policy advocacy within the union at a national level.
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For many of her supporters, her candidacy represents continuity of service delivery and an opportunity to amplify teacher welfare concerns on a larger platform.
By Philip Koech
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