KUPPET Holds ADC Amid Financial Strain and Leadership Woes.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) will hold its Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) this Friday in Vihiga County amidst financial difficulties and leadership wrangles.
KUPPET has been grappling with financial strain following the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) decision to withhold union dues for three months.
This action was taken after the union called a nationwide teachers’ strike in August, leaving KUPPET starved of funds and disrupting its national operations. However, the withheld funds were eventually deducted and remitted last month.
The financial constraints have forced the union to cancel its traditional National Advisory Council meeting and the pre-conference dinner, underscoring the impact of the cash flow issues.
The ADC follows a tumultuous 2023 conference in Nairobi, where attempts to amend the union’s constitution sparked controversy. A key proposal to raise the retirement age for union officials from 60 to 65 years was met with significant resistance, leading to chaos among the delegates.
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Adding to the union’s challenges are leadership disputes, including the removal of Vice Treasurer Ronald Tonui and disciplinary issues involving branch officials from Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Tana River.
Court battles over disciplinary actions against branch officials have further deepened the internal strife.
Call for Decorum and Leadership
In preparation for this year’s ADC, Secretary-General Akello Misori has urged delegates to maintain order, cautioning against a repeat of the disruptions seen at the last conference.
He emphasized the need for bold leadership, unity, and candor to address the union’s challenges.
In a communication dated December 16, 2024, Misori appealed to members to uphold decorum and avoid inflammatory rhetoric or violent disruptions.
He assured members that local administration and security agencies have been engaged to ensure the meeting’s safety but noted that the success of the event lies in the delegates’ hands.
The ADC will tackle critical issues, including a memorandum for the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and unresolved matters from the 2021-2025 CBA.
Misori reminded members that the union has already begun a new CBA negotiation process against the backdrop of pending issues from the current CBA.
Efforts to broaden engagement are evident as junior school teachers have been invited to the conference as observers. The inclusion of top officials from a junior school teachers’ lobby indicates a deliberate move to expand the union’s reach and involvement.
A Critical Juncture for KUPPET
Misori has described the ADC as a pivotal moment for the union, the teaching fraternity, and the labor movement.
He highlighted the challenges KUPPET faces, emphasizing the need for collective action to overcome the obstacles ahead.
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As the union gathers in Vihiga, members will deliberate on strategies to address internal disputes, financial recovery, and future negotiations while striving to maintain unity and purpose.
KUPPET Holds ADC Amid Financial Strain and Leadership Woes.
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