Former KUPPET Laikipia branch executive secretary Robert Miano has welcomed the court’s decision to nullify the branch elections, terming it a major victory for democracy, transparency, and teachers’ rights.
The ruling is now being viewed by analysts as a landmark decision that could set a precedent for how future union elections are conducted across the country, especially within unions.
In a strongly worded statement, Miano described the ruling as the triumph of truth over what he termed a “fraudulent exercise” allegedly orchestrated to impose leaders on Laikipia teachers.
Miano said the petitioners had resisted pressure to “accept and move on” after the disputed elections, insisting that the process was marred by irregularities that denied many teachers an opportunity to participate fairly.
Among the alleged malpractices cited were the use of a “hidden voter register,” deliberate shutdown of the T-Pay verification system, interference by national union officials, and the locking out of agents from polling centres.
He further accused some national officials of attempting to influence the branch elections to protect their own interests ahead of national union polls.
“The stolen victory has been overturned because a union built on corruption cannot stand,” Miano said in the statement.
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Analysts say the ruling is significant because it is among the first court decisions in Kenya to nullify a union branch election, a move expected to send a strong warning to union officials against electoral irregularities and interference in branch affairs.
The ruling is also expected to embolden teachers and union members in other counties to challenge disputed electoral processes through legal means.
Miano called on Laikipia teachers to remain united and vigilant as the branch prepares for fresh elections following the court ruling.
“The battle for a teacher-centred union is won on truth. Let us finish the work,” he added.
He also praised fellow petitioners, including Beninta Kamau, Gladys Siloi, and Mr Karanja, for standing firm throughout the legal process.
The court sitting in Nyeri nullified the Laikipia KUPPET branch elections held on February 28, 2026, at Wiyumiririe Secondary School grounds after finding irregularities in the electoral process.
Yesterday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court sitting in Nyeri ruled on the elections which were held on February 28, 2026, at Wiyumiririe secondary school grounds, citing widespread irregularities and lack of credibility in the electoral process.
The court found that the elections were not conducted in a transparent, fair and accountable manner.
The presiding judge ruled that all teachers were entitled to participate in union activities regardless of whether they were paying union dues or agency fees.
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The court noted that there was no evidence showing that a section of teachers had formally withdrawn from union membership, and therefore denying them participation in the elections violated their democratic rights.
The court further observed that the voter verification and polling process was marred by deliberate irregularities aimed at obscuring accountability and facilitating voter manipulation.
As a result, the court declared the February 28 elections irregular and lacking credibility before proceeding to nullify all results arising from the exercise.
The respondents were ordered to update the voter register and conduct fresh elections within 60 days.
By Kithinji Njeru
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