Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) campaigns have intensified in Bungoma as teachers gear up to elect new branch representatives, heightening competition among aspirants and stirring fresh debates on leadership, service delivery and the future direction of the union in the county.
Speaking at the union’s offices in Bungoma during the submission of the nomination papers, David Barasa, the current Kuppet Chairman and the Executive Secretary aspirant said that the branch has derailed for a very long time rallying teachers to vote for him to represent them.
Barasa will face off with long serving Bungoma branch Executive Secretary and former Bumula Constituency Parliamentary aspirant on Ford Kenya Augustine Luketelo. Barasa says that he will beat Luketelo hands down in the January, 24th 2026 polls.
Barasa is leading a group of teachers branded ‘team change’ seeking to remove Luketelo from office.
“Today is my happiest day, because history is made in a span of about 20 years in Kuppet Bungoma,” he said, noting that the wind of change is blowing in Bungoma.
Further, Barasa argues that his close interaction with teachers across Bungoma has revealed a raft of unresolved grievances.
These include stagnation in job groups due to what they describe as weak and poorly implemented Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), inadequate access to quality healthcare services, rising stress and mental health challenges linked to harsh working environments, the need for greater autonomy in union decision making and the urgent improvement of branch infrastructure to enhance service delivery.
The unionist reports that both teachers’ welfare in Bungoma, Kuppet bus and office are in bad state.
“When I come in as your branch Executive secretary these are the issues close to my heart,” he said.
Barasa also decried the current small and overstretched union branch office, saying it can no longer meet the needs of Bungoma teachers.
He affirmed that once elected, he will prioritize establishing a modern KUPPET Centre that will host all union officials and teachers and provide adequate space for efficient service delivery, consultations and member support.
Linda Wekesa, an aspirant for the position of the assistant gender 3, applauded the teachers for supporting ‘team change’ that is ready to serve and represent a teacher.
“I support ‘team change’ firmly because I believe in progression and growth as young teachers in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) . I urge them to turn up in huge numbers and prove that tomorrow belongs to those young like us,” she affirmed.
Team change line up is as follows; branch Executive secretary David Barasa, Chairman David Chemosit, Vice Chairman Peter Lutukayi, Assistant Executive secretary Ferdinand Wamalwa, Treasurer Faith Wafula, Vice Treasurer Cynthia Malaba.
Other aspirants are organizing secretary Ashton Mukoche, Secretary gender Ann Nabutola, Ass Secretary gender 1 Hilda Wanyama, Ass secretary gender 2 Chrisantus Waswa, Ass gender 3 Linda Wekesa, secretary secondary Rodgers Khayota and Secretary Junior secondary Emmanuel Walela.
