KUPPET Delegates Clash Over Amendments to Secretary General’s Retirement Age.
A heated clash occurred during the 26th Annual Delegates Conference of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) on Friday in Vihiga County.
The confrontation primarily involved delegates from the Junior School (JS) representatives, who voiced strong opposition to amendments in the union’s constitution.
The proposed changes, which sought to extend the retirement age of the Secretary General from 60 to 65 years, caused a significant rift within the gathering.
JS Delegates Express Strong Opposition
The Junior School delegates, who were present as observers, made their objections clear, arguing that the proposed amendments had not followed the proper procedures.
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“The conventional amendments are not going through the right processes,” one delegate remarked, emphasizing that any changes in the union’s constitution should be thoroughly discussed with all branches of KUPPET.
The JS representatives insisted that the proposals, which had not been properly debated in all of Kenya’s 47 branches, were neither legitimate nor in the best interest of teachers across the country.
“These recommendations or the proposals which have been doubled here have not been doubled in all the 47 branches of Kenya,” another delegate argued, adding that their rejection of the amendments was rooted in concerns about fairness and transparency.
The Issue of Leadership and Constitutional Amendments
The proposed amendment, which would extend the retirement age for the Secretary General, was one of the key points of contention.
The debate surrounding this change comes amid a broader backdrop of division within the union, which has recently witnessed turmoil, including the removal of Ronald Tonui from his role as the Assistant National Treasurer.
Ronald Tonui’s removal, which was disputed in court, saw him obtaining a court order that blocked his removal from office, further escalating tensions within the union.
Secretary General Responds to Allegations
In a separate address, the Secretary General of KUPPET firmly denied the allegations raised by the JS delegates. He stated that the proposed amendments were in line with efforts to broaden the union’s national executive board and ensure better representation, including for women and persons living with disabilities.
“The constitution has casted the N wider to include adequate women representation,” he explained.
He further clarified that the JS delegates, as observers, had no right to participate in voting or contribute to the discussions.
“If you are an observer, you don’t have the express right to speak or contribute or even to vote,” the Secretary General stated firmly.
Future Dialogue on the Disputes
Despite the tensions, the Secretary General emphasized the union’s commitment to resolving the issue. He announced that a consultative meeting would be held between the union leadership and the JS delegates to address the concerns and reach an amicable solution.
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The ongoing dispute, which highlights the broader divisions within KUPPET, is likely to shape the union’s future direction as it grapples with leadership and governance challenges.
KUPPET Delegates Clash Over Amendments to Secretary General’s Retirement Age
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