The ongoing Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (KUPPET) Branch Executive Secretary elections for 2026 are shaping up as a defining moment for the teachers’ union, revealing a clear reform-versus-establishment contest even as court orders and chaos disrupt key branches.
Early outcomes indicate a steady but significant rise of Team CHANGE, which has so far secured victory in six strategic branches: Machakos, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Nandi, Kirinyaga, and Kitui. These wins, spread across Eastern and Rift Valley regions as well as the lakeside, signal growing dissatisfaction with entrenched union leadership and a demand for transparency, accountability and member-driven governance.
On the other hand, Team STATUS QUO has managed to hold ground in only two branches—Kiambu and Mombasa—traditionally viewed as strongholds of the old guard.
While these victories demonstrate that the establishment still retains influence, the narrow spread raises questions about its long-term grip on the union.
Three branches—Nyeri, Vihiga, and Migori—remain neutral, reflecting tightly contested races or unresolved alignments.
These regions are increasingly seen as potential swing zones that could determine the broader balance of power as the election calendar progresses.
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However, the election process has not been without controversy. Murang’a branch elections were postponed following a court order, underscoring rising legal challenges around the conduct of union polls.
More alarming were the scenes in Narok and Homa Bay, where elections were nullified due to chaos, highlighting serious organizational and security lapses that threaten the credibility of the entire exercise.
With dozens of branches yet to vote—including major battlegrounds such as Nakuru, Kakamega, Bungoma, Nairobi City and Bomet—the final outcome remains open.
Still, the early pattern suggests a union membership increasingly willing to challenge long-standing power structures.
As KUPPET navigates this turbulent election season, the key test will be whether the union can restore order, uphold democratic principles, and deliver leadership that genuinely reflects the will of teachers.
The 2026 branch elections may ultimately redefine not just who leads KUPPET but how the union relates to its members in the years ahead.
By Mosoti Mogambi
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