KUPPET in bid to bolster membership
By Azael Masese
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) will embark on an aggressive recruitment drive to make it the single largest union in the country.
With a current membership of about 90,000, KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba said growth will be epitomized by total stability, performance actualization, visionary and realization of set objectives.
More than 20,000 teachers in post primary institutions pay agency fee to KUPPET but are not affiliated to the union.
Speaking during the Annual Delegates Conference at Kenyatta University, Kitui Campus, he said that its membership is slightly above the threshold.
Besides, it received a major boost after the court ruled that KUPPET is the only recognisable union for post primary institutions teachers.
After technical trainers were transferred from the Teachers Service Commission to the Public Service Commission, there were attempts to have them join a new union.
Over 2,000 trainers are expected to join the union following the court ruling.
Secretary General Akelo Misori said KUPPET is ready to take a critical role in informing the direction education is taking in this country.
He challenged female teachers to come out and vie for elective positions within the union.
“About 56 per cent of teachers are women and they must come and take charge.”
“This is a platform to share and learn the best experiences by attending global and international standards where a number of teachers presented academic papers,” he noted.
The union is also seeking to create an investment arm, through KUPPET Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Sacco) where members can access up to Sh3 million credit.
“Since the formation of KUPPET in 1998, TSC has maintained a cordial relationship and the invitation is an acknowledgement of the same,” noted Ibrahim Mumin.
Mumin, Director, Administrative Services in TSC appreciated KUPPET’s approach on industrial issues where they focus on dialogue, diplomacy and persuasion.
“As a true social partner, this union has focused on more to achieve its goals and even when we disagree, KUPPET has exhibited a degree of decorum,” he said.
Mumin, reading a speech on behalf of TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, said KUPPET is critical in the manner post primary institution teachers are handled.
