The 2021 Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET, election has attracted a large number of aspirants; than has been the case in the recent past. And female teachers have joined the race, in their numbers, to have a share of the lucrative KUPPET county seats.

Heated online campaigns have rented the air in the past few months with prospective candidates teams’ opponents taking jibes at each other. Indeed, ‘politics is a dirty game’, an act that has been perpetuated by the unleashing marauding agents to smear opponents’ names.

It is Kisii county, though, that has recorded the highest number of aspirants; if the number of those who have declared interest to run is anything to go by. A quick check reveals that up to 40 candidates have so far shown interest in clinching the 11 KUPPET posts in the county.

Nyamira county, on the its part, with aspirants recording a lacklustre performance. Surprisingly one two new aspirants have come out to try and take up the cudgels for the seats. Only 2 contestants, Renson Mokaya (Vice Chair) and Mosiria Mikuro (Secretary for Gender), who have publicly declared their interests. Others are either keeping their cards close to their chests or fearing facing the Lewis Nyakweba led incumbent team.

KISII COUNTY KUPPET ASPIRANTS

Back to Kisii county, the current Chair is expected to come up against his fierce combatant, Tom Ombwori; whom he defeated during the recent by-election.

The seat of executive secretary has attracted new entrants like Abincha Joseph and Onsare Shedrack who will square out with Omari Otungu (incumbent).

Denis Manasse (incumbent) will face off with Maticha Samwel, Omwamba Julius, Geofrey Mogire and Dancan Matoke (among others) in the race for the Vice Chairperson’s seat.

Celebrated Kisii county soccer coach, Akanga Evans, will battle it out with Evans Okindo (reigning), Geoffrey Mariita and Saphinah Kenyando in a bid to grapple the Assistant Executive Secretary post.

The Treasurer’s post has attracted Amos Nyamari and Hamelyn Motika who will try to wrestle the seat from Francis Ogutu.

It may be an all female affair in the bid to seal the Assistant Treasurer’s seat. Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Committee Member, Nancy Nyaenya (also a member of the Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association, NRSSSA) will be battling it out with Stellah Ong’era (incumbent). Another aspirant for the seat being Rael Mochache.

Other contestants

The seat of Organising secretary has attracted Abel Kenyanchui (holder) and Dennis Omwansa. Miller Orandi will battle it out with Conrad Rwenyo for the Tertiary Secretary seat; with the latter being the current office bearer. In the Gender Secretary’s post, incumbent Lydiah Kebati will square it out with Jentrix Ogola, Irene Angoi and her namesake, Irene Mariga.

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HOMABAY COUNTY

A showdown is looming with battle lines have been drawn in the race for the Homabay county KUPPET seats. What is expected to be one of the hotly contested seat is that of Executive Secretary. The post has attracted the interested of the current Secretary to the NRSSSA and KSSSA member Tom Thomas Odhiambo. Stephen Yogo (office bearer) will face a colossal duel in a bid to try and keep the seat; considering the influence of Tom Thomas.

Some of the other contents who have shown intent of running are; Brenda Rita (Gender), Obora Patel (Secretary-Secondary), Kajwang Michael (Organising Secretary), and vocal games teacher Oduor John Felix (popularly known as Felo Jachelsea). Everline Odongo will face off with Beatrice Awiti for the Treasury’s post. While, Churchill Aroko (Churchill) and Teddy Erics Oginga will battle for the Assistant Executive Secretary’s niche.

Some of the Contestants who have expressed interest to run for the Migori County seats are: Owiti Paul and George Okatch (both eyeing the Vice Chair’s post), Mijungu Kevin (Assistant Executive Secretary), Jecinter Robi (Treasurer) and Nyabuongi Fredrick (Secretary-Secondary). Others Lilian Ogutu and Sheila Omuga (both going for the Gender seat). Executive Secretary Orwa Jasolo will wrestle with Ken Boro for the seat. On their part, the trio of Kevin odhiambo, Seth Kanyango and festus Obonyo have daggers drawn to try and clinch the Organising Secretary’s post.

OTHER COUNTIES

Online campaigns are ongoing in all other counties, countrywide; with some teachers opting to have small group meetings. The campaigns have greatly been affected by the current covid-19 pandemic; that has seen prolonged closure of learning institutions. The Ministry of Health’s guidelines on public meetings have also dented the campaigns; that are usually carried out with vigor and ferocity.

Elections to fill the county and national seats are done after every five (5) years. The Branch Executive Committee is made up of the Chairperson, Vice Chair, Executive Secretary, the Assistant Executive Secretary the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary in charge of Gender.

Other members are: Secretaries in charge of Tertiary and Secondary, Branch Organising secretary, and three women representatives; who are appointed for gender and regional balancing after elections.

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In order to ensure the conduct of free and fair 2021 elections, KUPPET has made these Regulations for its branch elections. These Regulations are meant to facilitate a smooth electoral process in the COVID era.

The Regulations borrow from national laws governing Trade Union elections and KUPPET’s Registered Constitution which stipulate procedures for the entire election process

MANAGEMENT OF KUPPET BRANCH ELECTIONS

The Elections are managed by the office of the Commissioner of Labour. KUPPET has provided the election managers with its Registered Constitution, the Register of Members for each county and ballot materials.

KUPPET National Officials will be present at polling stations to observe the elections and resolve any logistical challenges that might occur.

RIGHTS OF KUPPET BRANCH ELECTIONS CANDIDATES

Each candidate has the right to inspect voting materials including the Venue of Elections, the Register, Ballot Papers and Ballot Boxes, before the start of voting.

Candidates are encouraged to hold a joint meeting with Returning Officers (Labour Officers) between 7.00 am and 8.00 am on the material day to set ground rules and generally improvise on these Regulations based on local contexts.

ARRANGEMENTS IN POLLING STATIONS

Due to the COVID pandemic, the union advises that the election be conducted in open space. Measures should be taken to protect ballot boxes and other materials under shade and away from rainfall.

The Returning Officers will ensure that the positioning of candidate agents and observers does not breach COVID protocols.

ENTRY INTO POLLING STATION

The union has made arrangements to ensure compliance with COVID-19 management protocols. All members, election managers and observers will be required to wear facemasks at all times. People will be allowed entry into the stations only after their body temperatures have been checked.

IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS

From the health check, members will proceed to the Registration Desk where they will be directed to queues in accordance with the last digit of their TSC Numbers.

Verification of full KUPPET membership will be based on TSC Numbers and National Identity Cards.

Trainers from TVET institutions will be identified through the same process, using their Personal Numbers from the Public Service Commission.

Only teachers and trainers whose names appear in the Register will be issued with one ballot paper in respect of all the 10 positions being contested, upon which their names will be crossed from the Register.

The voter will then proceed to the designated booths/tables, mark his/her ballots and cast them in the ballot boxes.

EASE OF MOVEMENT

To ease pressure in polling stations and avoid over-crowding, the union will provide one clearing/voting desk for every 300 registered members per station.

Members are advised to leave the station immediately after voting. No backward movement of voters will be allowed at the station. This will allow the process to be completed in time for polling stations to close at 5.00 pm.

CLOSURE OF VOTING

The polling station will close at 5.00 pm. Any members still on the queue by then will be allowed to vote, but no new members will be admitted at the stations.

COUNTING AND TALLYING

During the counting process, only the candidates, their designated agents and accredited observers will be allowed into the counting hall. With the guidance by the Returning Officers, candidates will agree on the order of vote-counting and declaration of results.

UNION MANDATE

As provided in law, the Labour Officers will take full charge of the election process, with the union’s responsibility being limited to providing logistics and observation.

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KUPPET 2021 elections: Aspirants in heated campaigns