Embu: Nine of the ten Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Embu Branch officials have retained their seats following the elections conducted at Kamiu Primary School Grounds in Manyatta Constituency. Jacob Karura successfully maintained his position as the Branch Executive Secretary for an additional five-year term, securing 953 votes and defeating his opponents, Paul Njagi, who garnered 503 votes, and David Kariuki, who obtained 280 votes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Assistant Secretary post was again claimed by Rogers Murimi, who received 1,078 votes, surpassing his only challenger, Amon Mose, who secured 645 votes. John Muriuki also retained his position as Branch Treasurer with 975 votes, prevailing over competitor Munene Muchangi, who gathered 813 votes.
Milliam Wawira was re-elected as Gender Secretary by obtaining 936 votes, thus defeating her rival, Salome Syombua, who received 801 votes. The newly elected officials have committed to focusing on the welfare of their members by addressing persistent issues affecting teachers, such as stagnation, inadequate remuneration, shortages, workload, and the conflict over the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC).
‘This commitment to serving our teachers will be beyond reproach,’ Karura assured in his brief statement after being declared Branch Executive Secretary elect by County Labour Officer Lauren Mburu, who supervised the election process. Karura also vowed to continue advocating for complete financial and administrative independence of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) to differentiate them from primary schools, which have been contentious.
He emphasized the need for JSS to be autonomous to alleviate tensions between junior secondary teachers and their supervisors. ‘We must keep pushing to make JSS fully autonomous to restore the dignity of our members,’ he stated.
In her capacity, Gender Secretary Ms. Wawira promised to establish a wellness center in the county to address the mental well-being of teachers.
