Leadership Disputes Rock ECDE Teachers Union, KUNOPPET
Leadership conflicts have surfaced within the Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET), the union representing Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Kenya.
The national chairman has raised concerns about being undermined, particularly by the Secretary General, citing issues of transparency, accountability, and democracy within the union.
In a letter dated June 20, 2024, addressed to the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore, National Chairman Lawrence Otunga accused Secretary General Samuel Opiyo of violating the Labour Relations Act, 2007, and the union’s constitution.
The letter, copied to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Registrar of Trade Unions, highlighted several concerns.
Otunga claimed that the Secretary General and the National Treasurer have consistently violated the union’s constitution by accessing and misusing union funds without approval or a budget, contrary to Sections 25(5), 35(6), and 39 of the Labour Relations Act, 2007.
Unilateral Decision Making
The chairman also alleged that the union has been turned into a one-man show, with the Secretary General making key decisions without consulting the National Executive Board, violating Article 16(3) of the union constitution.
Otunga noted that he was excluded as a signatory to the union’s bank account despite a resolution by the National Executive Board on May 5, 2023.
Regarding the legality of union branches, Otunga mentioned that the Secretary General refused to ensure all branches are registered, causing branch dues to be channeled to individual M-Pesa numbers instead of relevant bank accounts.
He further accused the Secretary General of delegating duties to unregistered branch union officials, violating Sections 25(5) and 35(6) of the Labour Relations Act, 2007.
Otunga also accused the Secretary General of diverting union funds for personal use and operating without an independent physical office.
He stated that some national leaders are “ghost officials” who have never appeared in meetings, allegedly used by the Secretary General to garner support.
The chairman described the Secretary General as dismissive, insecure, unapproachable, and hostile towards leaders demanding accountability. Vocal leaders are reportedly threatened with removal from the union.
Calls for Accountability
Otunga called for the Secretary General to adhere strictly to the union constitution, ensure transparency and internal democracy, register union branches and officials, convene regular meetings, and manage union funds within an approved budget.
He also demanded that the National Chairman be included as a signatory to the union bank accounts, and the identities of ‘faceless’ national KUNOPPET officials be revealed.
Otunga requested that union financial books be handled by approved auditors, the correct percentage of union dues be disbursed to branches, and a budget be passed for the induction and training of all union officials.
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He also urged for the disclosure of the national office’s location to all members and the appointment of an advocate to handle legal matters.
The chairman warned that the union might face deregistration by the Registrar of Trade Unions for failing to file returns from 2018 to 2023.
Efforts to reach the Secretary General for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages went unanswered by the time of publication.
Leadership Disputes Rock ECDE Teachers Union, KUNOPPET
