Kuppet top officials to serve beyond 60 years after age limit scrapped
The amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2026, have sparked controversy, with critics accusing national officials of entrenching themselves in power while making leadership opportunities exclusive to the wealthy and elderly.
Top officials within the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) will continue serving beyond the public service retirement age of 60 years after a constitutional amendment scrapped the age limit.
The Acting Registrar of Trade Unions, Ann Kanake, formally approved the changes, which had faced months of opposition and legal battles.
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"It is certified that the foregoing alteration of the Constitution of Kuppet has been registered pursuant to Section 27 of the Labour Relations Act," Kanake indicated in a certificate issued on March 13.
The amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2026, have sparked controversy, with critics accusing national officials of entrenching themselves in power while making leadership opportunities exclusive to the wealthy and elderly.
Among the major beneficiaries of the amendment are Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori, National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, National Treasurer Mwethi Njenga, Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, Organising Secretary Paul Maingi and Moses Nthurima, many of whom are above 60 and played a role in championing the changes.
Acting Kuppet Secretary-General Moses Nthurima welcomed the new rules, saying they usher in an era of inclusivity and accountability.
"This marks the beginning of a new era of accountability, inclusivity and gender and youth empowerment in the union," Nthurima said in a circular dated March 14.
"The National Executive Board (NEB) will create opportunities for members to engage with the constitutional changes and prepare for their eventual implementation."
However, the changes have been met with fierce resistance from members, including Assistant Treasurer Ronald Tonui, who led efforts to block them. Many have accused national officials of doctoring minutes from the Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) held on December 20, 2024, at Sosa Resort in Vihiga County before submitting them for registration.
The reforms now allow top officials to remain in office beyond the public service retirement age of 60 and significantly raise the fees for candidates seeking leadership positions. Proponents argue that the amendments promote "gender equity and equal opportunities without discrimination based on sex, race, tribe, age or religion."
New positions
The amendments also introduce nine trustee positions, eight of which will be elected at the Delegates Conference, while the ninth will be occupied by the founding Secretary-General. Additionally, the NEB will expand to 14 elected national officials to ensure representation of regional, gender, disability, and Junior Secondary interests.
New national positions created include First, Second, and Third Assistant National Gender Secretary, Assistant National Secretary Junior Secondary, and Regional Council Representative. At the branch level, new positions include First, Second, and Third Assistant Gender Secretary, and Assistant Secretary Junior Secondary.
The amendments also introduce new eligibility requirements for leadership. Branch officials vying for national office must resign from their current positions at least 31 days before elections, a move critics say limits opportunities for growth within the union. Only members of the NEB and Branch Executive Committees will be eligible to contest national positions.
Concerns have also emerged over the sharp increase in registration fees, which critics argue will lock out ordinary classroom teachers. Under the revised fee structure, candidates for Secretary-General, National Chairman, and National Treasurer will pay Sh500,000, while those vying for Deputy Secretary-General, National Vice-Chairman, National Organising Secretary, National Gender Secretary, National Secretary Secondary, National Secretary Treasury, and Assistant National Treasurer will pay Sh300,000.
At the branch level, those contesting for Executive Secretary, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary, Organising Secretary, Gender Secretary, Secretary Secondary, and Secretary Tertiary will be required to pay Sh50,000.
In a letter dated January 2, 2025, Milemba and Nthurima highlighted that 425 delegates voted on the amendments, with 402 supporting them.
"The draft constitutional amendments submitted through a notice of motion on March 13, 2023, and circulated to branches on March 17, 2023, were presented to the Delegates Conference for adoption," Kuppet said in the letter to the Registrar of Trade Unions.
Before approving the changes, the Registrar invited objections from members.
"Any member who has objections to the amendments is required to submit them in writing within 21 days," Kanake said in a notice issued on January 6, 2025.
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