Kuppet topples Knut in race for numbers
Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori (foreground), chairman Omboko Milemba and other officials address reporters on October 5.
What you need to know:
- Kuppet has seen its membership grow to 110,000, from 70,000 in 2018.
Mr Sossion faces stiff opposition from his national executive members, given the falling fortunes of Knut that are blamed on his leadership style.
The country’s two giant teachers’ unions go to the polls next year, with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) boasting a larger membership for the first time.
After an exodus of members orchestrated by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) goes to elections a weakened body, a development that undermines Secretary-General Wilson Sossion’s quest for a third term.
Campaigns for the elections by the unions that have had contrasting fortunes in the past two years, have already begun at branch and national levels ahead of the January vote.
Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori is banking on the growth of the union’s membership to win a third term.
Kuppet has seen its membership grow to 110,000, from 70,000 in 2018.
Mr Sossion faces stiff opposition from his national executive members, given the falling fortunes of Knut that are blamed on his leadership style.
Knut national seat
The membership of the once giant union has dropped to 32,000 in just two years. Teachers say his combative style has upset TSC bosses and the Ministry of Education.
For a person to win a Kuppet or Knut national seat, he or she is required to have won top seats at branch level.
Hopefuls for top union positions will declare their interest after winning at branch level.
The unions elect their national leaders for a five-year term. With no term limits, they can be re-elected as many times as possible.
The Kuppet national executive is working together to ensure it goes to the polls as a united front.
Mr Misori told the Nation that the elections would begin on January 15 at branch level and end on February 27 while Mr Sossion announced that Knut’s would be held from January 4 to March 31, 2021.
National elections will be held from April to June.
The registrar of trade unions issued a notice to Kuppet, Knut and other unions in September to call elections early next year in line with their constitutions.
Tertiary institutions
“I am confident of re-election,” Mr Misori told the Nation.
Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba will be defending his position as Kuppet chairman while Mr Njenga Mwethi will be seeking to be re-elected treasurer.
Other Kuppet officials seeking re-election are Paul Maingi (organising secretary), Mr Sammy Cheleng’a, (secretary in charge tertiary institutions), Mr Edward Obwocha, (secretary in charge of secondary schools) , Mr Moses Nturima (deputy secretary general),Mr Julius Korir (vice-chairman), Ms Catherine Wambilianga (secretary gender) and Mr Ronald Tonui who is the national assistant treasurer
There are 10 elective seat and three nomination slots per county.
Mr Sossion is likely to face stiff competition from people who want new faces in Knut.
Knut is in a financial hole that has led to the shutting of some of its 110 branches countrywide.
Branch secretaries and other officials have gone without pay for months. Some office property has been auctioned.
Mr Sossion had earlier said Knut does not have money for the elections but beat a retreat.
