Why Top Kuppet Officials May Hold Office for Life.
End of Age Limit Sparks Controversy
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has made a significant constitutional amendment, removing the age limit for top officials and allowing them to serve indefinitely. This change concludes a prolonged two-year dispute between national and branch officials and union members.
Acting Registrar of Trade Unions, Ann Kanake, approved the amendments after months of intense debate and attempts to block them. She confirmed in a March 13 certificate that the revisions had been registered under Section 27 of the Labour Relations Act.
With these changes, concerns have arisen that national officials have secured their positions, limiting opportunities for younger leaders and making leadership a privilege for the wealthy and elderly. Acting Kuppet Secretary-General Moses Nthurima, in a circular dated March 14, announced that the amendments would take effect on January 1, 2026.
He described the shift as the beginning of an era characterized by accountability, inclusivity, and the empowerment of gender and youth. He also stated that the National Executive Board (NEB) would facilitate discussions on the changes and ensure members were prepared for their implementation.
Opposition and Allegations of Manipulation
The development is a major setback for Kuppet Assistant Treasurer Ronald Tonui, who had been at the forefront of opposing the changes.
Hundreds of officials and union members had petitioned the Registrar of Trade Unions, urging a rejection of the amendments.
Some members claimed that minutes from the Annual Delegates Conference (ADC), held at Sosa Resort in Vihiga County on December 20, 2024, were altered before being submitted for registration.
Following the issuance of the Labour Relations Act Certificate, the changes will now take effect, allowing top officials to remain in office beyond the public service retirement age of 60.
Additionally, the amendments introduce a steep increase in the fees required to contest Kuppet positions, further limiting access to leadership.
Supporters Defend the Amendments
Proponents argue that the amendments ensure gender equity and eliminate discrimination based on sex, race, tribe, age, or religion. This effectively removes the retirement age for officials, enabling them to serve indefinitely.
Among the primary beneficiaries of these changes are Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori, National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, National Treasurer Mwethi Njenga, Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, Organising Secretary Paul Maingi, and Moses Nthurima.
Some of these officials, already past the retirement age of 60, played a crucial role in advocating for the amendments.
Additionally, the reforms introduce nine trustee positions, with eight elected at the Delegates Conference, while the founding Secretary-General secures the ninth position. The NEB will now comprise 14 elected officials, ensuring regional, gender, disability, and Junior Secondary representation.
Five new national positions have also been created, including First, Second, and Third Assistant National Gender Secretaries, Assistant National Secretary Junior Secondary, and Regional Councils Representative. At the branch level, new roles include First, Second, and Third Assistant Gender Secretary, along with Assistant Secretary Junior Secondary.
Restrictions and Financial Barriers
Critics argue that the changes deliberately hinder the upward mobility of branch officials. A contentious new requirement mandates that branch officials seeking national positions must resign 31 days before elections, which many view as an obstacle to career advancement. Additionally, only NEB and Branch Executive Committee members are eligible to contest national elections.
Another pressing concern is the sharp rise in registration fees, which opponents claim makes leadership opportunities inaccessible to ordinary classroom teachers.
Under the new structure, candidates for Secretary-General, National Chairman, and National Treasurer must pay Sh500,000, while those vying for Deputy Secretary-General, National Vice-Chairman, National Organising Secretary, National Gender Secretary, National Secretary Secondary, National Secretary Treasury, and Assistant National Treasurer must pay Sh300,000.
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At the branch level, candidates for Executive Secretary, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary, Organising Secretary, Gender Secretary, Secretary Secondary, and Secretary Tertiary positions must pay Sh50,000.
A branch official, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration, stating that removing the age limit, raising registration fees, and forcing branch officials to step down before contesting national seats was a calculated move by a select group aiming to serve for life.
The official described this as a rising dictatorship in Kuppet, emphasizing that a revolt from members was the only solution.
Approval Process and Member Objections
In a letter dated January 2, 2025, Milemba and Nthurima reported that 425 delegates participated in the vote on the amendments, with 402 supporting them.
Kuppet, in a letter to the registrar, explained that the proposed constitutional changes were submitted through a notice of motion on March 13, 2023, and circulated to branches on March 17, 2023, before being presented at the Delegates Conference for adoption.
The Registrar of Trade Unions had previously invited members to submit objections regarding the proposed changes two months earlier. In a notice issued on January 6, 2025, Kanake informed members that any objections had to be presented in writing within 21 days.
Why Top Kuppet Officials May Hold Office for Life
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