Paul Kipchumba Rotich, popularly known as Captain, was on Saturday re-elected as the Nandi branch Executive Secretary of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), securing a fourth consecutive term with a decisive margin.
Rotich garnered 1,049 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Salim Kibet Bakhit, who received 689 votes, in a contest that drew a large turnout and intense interest across the county.
The Executive Secretary race featured four candidates, with Jairo Tormoi polling 444 votes and Elias Sirma 87 votes. Immediately after labour officials announced the results at CiTc Kapsabet Hall, Rotich’s supporters broke into song and dance, celebrating a victory many had framed as a test of his long-standing dominance in KUPPET politics following a spirited challenge by Salim.
Education news established that this year’s KUPPET politics in Nandi were notably charged and competitive, influenced by the entry of junior school teachers into the union’s membership. Candidates were compelled to marshal significant resources to traverse the six sub-counties, courting members whose preferences remained unpredictable throughout the campaign period.
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The chairperson position was retained by St Joseph’s Chepterit tutor, Madam Teclah Lagat, who amassed 1,061 votes. Her challengers included Kapsabet Boys’ Hillary Kechego with 738 votes, Kennedy Kibet Morta with 350 votes, Gilbert Ruto with 68 votes, and Cletus Kirwa with 45 votes, underscoring a broad field and strong engagement across the branch leadership contests.
Shortly after the Executive Secretary results were declared, second runners-up Jairo Tormoi issued a concession letter, congratulating Rotich and acknowledging the clear verdict. He noted that while he had not expected defeat, the vote demonstrated that Rotich remains the preferred choice of Nandi teachers.
The announcement of other positions was briefly disrupted as jubilant supporters poured praises on Captain Rotich, prompting labour officers to allow celebrations to proceed before resuming the tally updates.
It is estimated that over 2,800 teachers turned up to vote at CiTc Kapsabet, reflecting robust participation and heightened interest in the branch’s leadership direction.
By Meshack Cheres
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