A fierce supremacy battle between Joseph ole Lenku and Katoo ole Metito played out during the just-concluded Kajiado branch elections of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), with team change clinching a landslide victory.
The elections, held at Kajiado Township Primary School in Kajiado town on Thursday, saw team change win 13 out of the 14 available seats, marking a near clean sweep in one of the most closely watched union contests in the county.
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At the centre of the contest was the race for executive secretary, where Martin Koikai, a resident of Kajiado West and a teacher at Moi Isinya Girls Secondary School, defeated his main challenger Maina Bundi. Koikai garnered 744 votes against Bundi’s 621 votes in a tightly fought race that drew significant political attention.
Governor Lenku openly congratulated Koikai following the announcement of results, describing his victory as a restoration of “honour, respect and dignity” to the people.
The governor was seen celebrating with the newly elected officials and even leading prayers for Koikai and his team in the Maasai dialect, further cementing perceptions that he backed team change.
Although unconfirmed reports indicated that State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito supported Bundi’s camp, Metito had earlier been quoted maintaining that he was neutral and supportive of all candidates in the race.
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Beyond the executive Secretary position, team Change dominated the ballot, securing key leadership roles including Assistant Executive Secretary, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Vice Treasurer, Gender Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Secondary Secretary, Tertiary Secretary, Junior Secondary School Secretary and assistant gender positions.
The overwhelming win gives Koikai and his allies firm control of the KUPPET Kajiado branch.
The observers noted that while KUPPET elections are internal union affairs, the visible interest from senior political figures elevated the contest into a broader show of political influence within Kajiado County.
With the dust now settling, attention shifts to how the new leadership will address teachers’ welfare, promotions, and the ongoing transition challenges in the education sector.
By David Lempoo
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