KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori’s camp, which includes National Vice Chair Julius Korir, National Secretary for Gender Catherine Wambilyanga, and Organizing Secretary Paul Maingi, has reportedly sought to extend the retirement age to maintain their positions. Critics argue that this move is a self-serving attempt to cling to power
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akello Misori and his allies have faced a significant blow after the Registrar of Trade Unions declined their proposal to amend the union’s constitution, including a push to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The rejected amendments also sought to mandate that branch officials vying for national office resign from their current positions before contesting. Furthermore, it aimed to permit officials holding parliamentary seats, such as KUPPET Chair and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, to serve as full-time union officials despite holding public office.
Registrar Rejects Changes on Procedural Grounds
The proposed changes were adopted during the union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December 2024, held in Vihiga. However, dissenting voices, led by Assistant National Treasurer Ronald Tonui, petitioned the Registrar of Trade Unions, citing procedural irregularities and lack of broad member consultation. In a letter dated January 8, 2025, Acting Trade Unions Registrar Ann K. Kanake rejected the amendments, citing numerous objections filed by union officials and members.
“The objections and issues raised are too numerous for the Registrar to ignore,” wrote Kanake. She pointed out that the proposed amendment to Article 13.0 (a) (vii) contravened the Labour Relations Act.
Kanake urged KUPPET leadership to address the objections, noting grievances such as the exclusion of some delegates from the AGM, participation of non-members, and alleged intimidation of dissenting delegates.
Power Struggle Within KUPPET
The proposed amendments have exposed a growing rift within KUPPET, pitting the “old guard,” led by Akello Misori and Omboko Milemba, against “Young Turks” seeking to bring change.
Misori’s camp, which includes National Vice Chair Julius Korir, National Secretary Gender Catherine Wambilyanga, and Organizing Secretary Paul Maingi, reportedly seeks to maintain their positions by extending the retirement age. Critics argue this move is a self-serving effort to cling to power.
Tonui and his allies, including National Secretary Tertiary Sammy Chelang’a, have opposed these changes, accusing Misori’s camp of impunity and sidelining dissenting voices.
Tonui Challenges Misori’s Leadership
Reacting to the Registrar’s decision, Tonui urged the KUPPET leadership to follow the proper constitutional process for amendments, including member participation at the branch and National Governing Council (NGC) levels.
“Impunity can no longer be tolerated by educated professionals,” Tonui remarked, accusing Misori’s team of illegally expelling officials and denying allowances to dissenters.
He also revealed that attempts to amend the constitution through a court order had been thwarted after an application was filed by Samburu Branch Executive Secretary William Lengoyaip. Lengoyaip was later expelled from the union, allegedly for opposing the amendments.
Misori Defends Amendments
Akello Misori defended the amendments, claiming the age limit increase to 65 was already enshrined in the union’s constitution. “For clarity, our current constitution already includes an age limit of 65 for officials. This was not made with any particular individual in mind,” he said.
On the controversial proposal to raise campaign funds to Ksh 500,000 for members vying for union positions, Misori argued it was meant to ensure only committed candidates contested.
“KUPPET is not a briefcase organization. If you want to lead, you must show commitment. We cannot have joyriders,” Misori stated.
Way Forward
The Registrar’s ruling marks a pivotal moment for KUPPET’s leadership, with the fate of the proposed changes now hanging in the balance. As the power struggle intensifies, both factions will likely regroup to chart the union’s future course. Whether this development ushers in a wave of reform or reinforces the status quo remains to be seen.
