A major rift has emerged within the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Samburu Branch after Executive Secretary William Lengoyiap issued a strongly worded communication demanding full financial transparency, immediate closure of alleged illegal accounts, release of audited member registers, and strict enforcement of multiple court rulings that have reshaped the union’s legal standing.
The detailed communication, dated December 1, 2025, references several key judgments from the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) in Meru and Machakos.
These rulings reinstated elected branch officials of Isiolo, Samburu, and Tana River, while also outlawing and expunging the controversial expulsion clause from the KUPPET constitution.
According to the judgments by Justices Onesmus Makau and Byram Ongaya, no union member can suspend or expel another without a lawful process, effectively reinstating all members previously expelled under the invalidated clause.
Lengoyiap argues that these rulings remain fully in force after the Court of Appeal denied KUPPET’s request for stay orders.
He insists that the National Office must respect the judgments, noting that KUPPET’s application challenging the decision was rejected, leaving all reinstated members legally protected.
Central to the new dispute is the allegation that certain Samburu Branch officials have been operating unauthorised bank accounts, which
Lengoyiap is described as illegal. According to the communication, funds belonging to teachers were handled through these accounts without the elected branch leadership’s knowledge or approval.
One disputed account at a cooperative bank in Maralal was reportedly frozen by a court, leading to the resignation of the manager involved.
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Lengoyiap now seeks a full audit inquiry by the Auditor General to examine all KUPPET Samburu accounts from the time the contested accounts were opened.
He further demands that the Registrar of Trade Unions release audited reports and all documentation related to the accounts operated without the branch’s approval.
The Executive Secretary also raises concerns over alleged inconsistencies in the member register, stating that gaps in dues remittance and membership data have distorted the true number of KUPPET members in Samburu.
The branch is demanding the official national register to ensure transparency ahead of the 2026 branch elections.
On the upcoming polls, the communication stresses that no eligible, paid-up teacher should be barred from vying, arguing that only a court order can stop a member from contesting.
Lengoyiap says the branch will shortly publish the verified list of aspirants who have cleared their dues, and this list will be shared widely with members and the media.
He further warns that if individuals found culpable in previous fraud-related cases continue to interfere with union activities, the branch will escalate the matter to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for disciplinary action.
The statement concludes with a firm message that elected officials serve fixed five-year terms, and any changes to election dates must follow lawful procedures.
Lengoyiap calls for peaceful campaigns, adherence to court directives, and full financial accountability as the branch heads enter a critical election season.
By Mosoti Mogambi
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