Chaos after Kuppet increases retirement age

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akelo Misori addresses a past press conference. [File, Standard]

A teachers’ meeting turned chaotic following disagreement over the proposal to raise the retirement age for top Kuppet officials from 60 to 65 years.

Chaos erupted when the opposing group, led by Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) National Assistant Secretary Ronald Tonui and junior secondary school (JSS) teachers, objected to the passing of constitutional amendments.

Police officers and some youth in Kuppet uniforms ejected the group from the conference, leaving the tent half-empty as resolutions were passed in just 10 minutes under heavy security.

The JSS teachers described the annual delegates’ conference as shambolic, distancing themselves from the outcomes and threatening to form their own union.

The chaos left some teachers injured, and property was damaged.

The tutors are opposing the national leadership led by National Chairman Omboko Milemba and Secretary Akelo Misori, who have reached the retirement age, calling the two “traitors.”

According to Tonui, Omboko and Misori are the faces of the problems facing teachers. He stated they would move to court to challenge the decision.

“The constitutional amendments have not gone through a proper process. Kuppet belongs to teachers, and the proposals presented today should be tabled in all 47 branches of Kenya to allow Kenyans to give their views. Therefore, this is an illegality,” said Tonui.

‘‘We cannot have a chairman who is a Member of Parliament, who disregards court orders. We have lost hope in him, and we are tired of him.

‘‘He is free to do what he wants. We will regroup and form our own constitution because today’s amendments are for the retirees, and we will govern ourselves,” said William Liengoyap, Samburu Kuppet Executive Secretary.

Yvonne Musyoka, representing teachers from Eastern, said the constitutional amendments were done without public participation.

‘‘Every clause should have been confirmed, and the documents should have been given to members six months before, but we were given the documents today, and amendments were made in less than 10 minutes,” she said.

Daniel Murithi, a JSS teacher, said they would not support the union.

“We are not going to support an organisation that does not represent the interests of JSS teachers.

‘Junior secondary school teachers must be properly represented, with a 50-50 share,” he said.

However, Misori said the retirement age was a non-issue, stating that the current constitution already has a provision for a 65-year age limit for officials.

“For clarity, our current constitution includes an age limit of 65 for officials.

‘‘It was not made with a particular person in mind. The previous constitution, which was amended to include this, did not have an age limit,” said Misori.

“The proposal to raise the age is not something a newcomer can raise. In fact, in teaching and public service, people with disabilities are working up to 65 years old,” he said.

On the issue of raising funds for subscriptions at Sh500,000 by members running for various positions, Misori said the move was not intended to stop anyone from contesting but rather to ensure the union has serious individuals who are committed to serving and leading, rather than joyriders.

“Kuppet is not a briefcase union if you want to lead you must show commitment We cannot have joyriders,” said Misori.