The delegates from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in the Nyanza region have endorsed Secretary General Akello Misori ahead of the union’s forthcoming national elections.
While praising his leadership and the current steering committee’s performance during a meeting in Kisumu, the delegates said the outgoing leadership had delivered on its mandate and expressed confidence in its continuity beyond the upcoming polls during.
Kisumu County KUPPET Executive Secretary George Osura said Misori and his team would enjoy strong backing in next month’s elections, citing what he termed as steady progress in representing teachers’ interests.
Misori, who attended the meeting alongside National Chairman Omboko Milemba, said the union would continue pushing for reforms in the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that gaps in service delivery remain unresolved.
He raised concerns that some medical facilities are still denying services to members and that inconsistencies in the implementation of SHA policies persist across institutions.
He vowed to pursue the matter further to ensure uniform access to healthcare for teachers.
On education governance, Misori also said the autonomy of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) remains a contentious issue, adding that Parliament may need to review the framework guiding its implementation.
He dismissed his opponents, saying they lacked viable alternatives and challenged them to present concrete proposals.
Misori further pointed to what he described as gains achieved during his tenure, including improvements under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The upcoming election is expected to feature a contest between Misori and Ronald Tonui, who has officially declared his bid for the Secretary General position.
Tonui launched his campaign during a meeting with KUPPET Bomet branch officials, sharply criticizing the current leadership and accusing it of drifting away from the interests of teachers.
He alleged that the union has become overly aligned with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), weakening its ability to effectively advocate for members.
“I have the capacity to restore the dignity of teachers in this country by being their voice. We will not leave anything to chance but will ensure we overhaul the union leadership,” Tonui said.
He added that his goal is to return the union to its members and strengthen its advocacy role, claiming that internal leadership disputes have undermined its effectiveness.
Tonui’s bid has also been shaped by recent tensions within the union, including his opposition to constitutional amendments that removed age limits for office holders.
The dispute escalated into an attempted disciplinary process, which was later overturned by a court ruling.
The KUPPET Bomet branch has already declared its support for his candidacy. Branch Executive Secretary Paul Kimetto said the branch would mobilize delegates ahead of the National Delegates Conference.
“As his home branch, we will go the extra mile to ensure he gets the support of delegates during the National Delegates Conference,” Kimetto said.
He also praised Tonui for supporting development initiatives such as the establishment of the KUPPET Centre.
The race sets the stage for a closely watched leadership contest between an incumbent seeking to consolidate his record and a challenger pledging reform within one of the country’s influential teachers’ unions.
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