By Staff Reporter
Kenya Union of Post Primary Educations Teachers (KUPPET) might drop abrasive politics in the rundown to the 2021 national elections.
The union is experiencing the highest level of stability since it was formed in 1998, with some officials cautious that replacing the national officials will derail efforts to achieve better terms for its members.
National positions that will attract competition include Chairman held by Omboko Milemba, who is also Emuhaya MP, Secretary General Akelo Misori and that of Assistant Treasurer, Ronald Tonui, who is also the Bomet Central MP.
Also to beb hotly contested is the position of the National Gender Secretary held by Gladys Wambilyanga, the Bungoma Woman Representative in parliament.
Others include National Treasurer held by Mwethi Njenga, Deputy Secretary General occupied by Moses Nthurima, National Secretary held by Tertiary Sammy Chelang’a.
The position of National Secretary Secondary is occupied by Edward Obwocha, Vice Chairman by Julius Korir and National Organising Secretary by Paul Maingi.
Unlike the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), KUPPET has had a cordial relationship with the Teachers Service Commission and the Ministry of Education.
The Commission’s top brass attended the 2018 and 2019 KUPPET Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) but gave KNUT a wide berth in its 2018 ADC.
While KUPPET receives agency fees from the Commission, this is not the case with KNUT.
“KUPPET is enjoying the most stable spell unlike between 2002 and 2011 when squabbles were common and we would like to see the same national officials continue,” noted Shadrack Mutungi.
The Taita Taveta Branch Executive Secretary observed that it will not be wise, to antagonize its national leaders in the national elections given the current calmness.
KUPPET National Secretary General Akelo Misori also questioned the change of leadership every election period when he handed over of a 32-seater bus to KUPPET Kisumu branch in August.
“The habit of replacing leaders on each election is the cause of instability in the union. If you replace all leaders, you start introducing new ones afresh and negotiations afresh,” Misori was quoted in one of the local dailies.
With prospective candidates taking to social media to declare their positions, Misori urged them to hold their horses and wait for the election date to be announced.
KUPPET has presented proposal for the next cycle of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for a salary increase for its members before the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and is waiting for a counter offer.
Mutungi stated that there should be no need to remove the current leaders, stating that a number of branch officials are still young and can wait until after 2021.
“A number of branch officials who are still young can mature with age and gain invaluable experience necessary to run the union in future,” he said.
A branch organizing secretary told Education News that branches are receiving good money hence no official is keen to go for the union’s national position.
However, another Branch Executive Secretary said this is not the time to deny ambitious leaders an opportunity to go for national positions.
Sources say in the spirit of promoting peace, one branch executive secretary, who is in his 50s might not competition but will instead be the sole contender for the position the will vie.
KUPPET Kwale Branch Executive Secretary counterpart John Tuki said the current crop of leadership is focused and experienced to take the union to the highest level.
“I am impressed with the tranquility the union is enjoying and wish for a leadership that can further articulate the members’ welfare,” he said.
However, he contended that a day in politics is a long time and anything can change before the 2021 elections.
The ultimate goal, he argued, is the next cycle of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), where the union has already tabled its proposals and is waiting for a counter offer by TSC.
“With such a focused leadership, articulating members’ issues, it would be foolhardy to replace them since they have an added advantage having dealt with the Commission,” he said.
A number of top KUPPET officials started their teaching careers in the late 1980’s and have a few years remaining to retire.
According to TSC, a union official ceases to serve once they retire as teacher at 60 years.
“We would have had elections at the branch level between January and February before setting the national elections come April, during school holidays,” stated Narok Executive Branch Charles Ng’eno.
With schools remaining closed, Ng’eno projected a dull moment saying it would be difficult to conduct elections once schools reopen.
Another branch official who sought anonymity said other members do not want to declare their ambitions, fearing reproach from higher offices.
Branch elections were to be held between January and February and the national stage was set for April, during the holidays.
With the closure of schools due to Covid-19, it is not understood how the elections will be conducted.
“It would pose a tough challenge to open schools and immediately and go into elections,” Ng’eno stated.
