Kuppet Defends Proposed Constitutional Amendments Amidst Controversy and Objections

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) is pushing forward with its proposed amendments to the union's constitution, despite facing opposition from some members and the Registrar of Trade Unions. National treasurer Njenga Mwethi emphasized that the changes are necessary to improve representation and inclusion within the union, particularly regarding gender equality, persons with disabilities, and regional disparities.

Mwethi highlighted the shortcomings of the current constitution, pointing out that the 2010 version fails to adequately address gender representation, with women holding only one out of ten national leadership positions. He also criticized the existing system, which allocates delegates per county without considering membership size, leading to underrepresentation in certain regions like North Eastern and Coast.

The proposed amendments aim to ensure fairer regional representation, more inclusive leadership roles, and the introduction of positions for Junior School teachers and youth. Mwethi also defended the proposed Proportional Representation (Pro Rata) system, which would allocate delegates based on actual membership rather than county size, ensuring more balanced representation.

Despite the support from many members, including a large group of delegates, the Registrar of Trade Unions, Ann Kanake, rejected the proposed changes due to procedural concerns and objections from some members. These dissenters argue that the changes were pushed through without proper consultation, with claims of irregular voting processes and lack of notice for branch meetings. Furthermore, some members raised concerns over the high nomination fees for leadership positions.

Mwethi, however, refuted these claims, emphasizing that the changes had undergone sufficient public participation and that only a small group of members, primarily from one region, opposed the amendments. He reassured that the union would address the objections raised by the dissenters to ensure the changes are in line with legal and procedural requirements.

While the battle over the amendments continues, Kuppet’s leadership remains steadfast in its belief that the proposed changes will enhance the union's fairness, inclusivity, and ability to better represent its diverse membership.