Details Emerge Over Bribery Claims, Illegal Voters in KUPPET Polls
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is facing a significant internal crisis following a formal petition by aggrieved members seeking to block the registration of officials elected during the recent National Executive Board elections held on April 18, 2026, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The petitioners have formally approached the Registrar of Trade Unions, demanding an immediate halt to the registration process.
According to Education News ,they argue that the election was marred by widespread irregularities and blatant violations of both the Labour Relations Act and the union’s own constitution.
Central to their grievance is the process of delegate selection. According to the petition, the union failed to convene Branch General Assemblies (BGAs), which are legally required to elect pro-rata delegates.
Instead, the complainants allege that delegates were handpicked at the county level, effectively bypassing democratic processes and compromising the legitimacy of the entire Electoral College.
Allegations of Procedural and Constitutional Breaches
The petitioners contend that the union allowed retirees, individuals who have since resigned, and sitting Members of Parliament to participate in the voting and elective process. They argue this is a direct violation of the Labour Relations Act, which restricts voting rights and union membership to active, unionisable employees.
Transparency remains another major contention as petitioners allege that the national leadership failed to provide the voters’ register at least 60 days before the election, as required by law.
Corruption Claims and Demands for Investigation
Beyond procedural failures, the petition includes serious allegations of electoral malpractice. The members claim that bribery was rampant, with evidence of Mpesa transactions being utilized to influence delegates on the eve of the polls. To solidify their case, the petitioners claim to have attached substantial evidence and are calling for a thorough probe by the Registrar before any new leadership is installed.
In response to these developments, a mobilization campaign has been launched across various branches.
Members are being urged to submit formal complaints, supported by their TSC numbers and signatures, to ensure the Registrar halts the finalization of the registration.
If the petitioners succeed, the registration process will remain suspended until an investigation determines whether the outcome of the Kasarani poll can be upheld. KUPPET leadership has yet to issue a formal response regarding these mounting allegations.
