Kirinyaga teachers allege plans to interfere with KUPPET elections

Jacob Murigi, one of the contestants of Kuppet Kirinyaga branch positions, addressing journalists in Kutus on January 11, 2026

A section of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers members from Kirinyaga county have called for free and transparent elections on January 17.

The teachers claimed there were plots to interfere with the polls, even as the list of contestants for the various positions is yet to be made public.

Jacob Murigi, a contestant, said they paid nomination fees and filled in and returned nomination papers, but were not given any feedback by the branch.

“We want that list on Tuesday so we can establish who will vie for what position and plan accordingly,” he said.

The teachers wondered why the branch has taken so long to furnish members with the necessary information as they count down to the elections that will be held at Kutus Primary School.

“We suspect a plot by some quarters to frustrate contestants and interfere with the elections but we will block it with all our might,” Murigi said.

They called on Kuppet to provide a register of all members to make it impossible for contestants to interfere with the polls.

Availing the register would enable them to know the number of teachers who are expected to cast their votes and curb incidents of non-members being allowed to participate in the exercise. 

Murigi cautioned the branch officials to ensure they follow the directive of the National Executive Board, that requires the elections to start at 6 am and conclude at 6 pm.

The teachers also appealed to the county security team to ensure security is beefed up during the exercise to allow members to cast their vote without any skirmishes.

They urged members to turn out in large numbers and vote for their candidates of choice.

However, outgoing chairperson Njega Muchiri dismissed the interference claims as far-fetched, saying the union has structures that guide its operations.

“Kuppet is run professionally. Those claiming that there are plans to interfere with the elections are wrong or why then are we all campaigning so seriously if some people intend to rig?” he posed.

Muchiri, who is contesting for the position of branch executive secretary, said nominations were conducted in accordance with the guidelines availed by the NEB.

A list of all the nominated candidates was then forwarded to the national office, which forwarded it to the county department of labour under the Ministry of Labour and Skills Development.

He explained that the department of labour will oversee the elections and has organised a meeting for all contestants next Friday to brief them on the process and iron out outstanding issues.

The branch re-elected the executive team unopposed in 2021, with the executive secretary Njogu Mbui serving since 2006.

But a fresh team of aspirants christened ‘Team Change’ has come up, with the aim of dislodging the leadership that has been previously accused of failing to represent teachers and fight for their interests adequately.