KUNOPPET National Chairman Illegally Ousted Amidst Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

 NAIROBI, KENYA – In a shocking turn of events, Samuel Opiyo, founder and owner of the Kenya National Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET), illegally removed National Chairman, Otunga, from his position. The move, described as a “suspension” in a hastily issued letter, follows Otunga’s public defiance of Opiyo because of his alleged attempts to manipulate the union's constitution and finances.

Otunga, who recently declared his readiness to face Opiyo in upcoming union elections, alleges that Opiyo, panicked by this challenge, convened a clandestine meeting with fewer than ten individuals, some of whom are not even teachers, to orchestrate his removal. The meeting, held in Nairobi, resulted in Otunga’s expulsion from KUNOPPET leadership.

Opiyo’s alleged actions stem from Otunga’s exposure of several controversial plans:

• Illegal Constitutional Amendments: Otunga publicly revealed Opiyo's attempts to illegally amend the union's constitution.
• Increased Union Contributions: Otunga opposed Opiyo's plan to increase KUNOPPET monthly contributions from Kshs. 300 to Kshs. 700 (a 2% increase).
• Inflated Nomination Fees: Otunga exposed Opiyo's strategy to hinder participation in union elections by drastically increasing nomination fees to Kshs. 15,000 for branch positions and Kshs. 75,000 for national positions.
• Misuse of Union Assets: Otunga alleges that Opiyo is secretly planning to use union assets to purchase a personal vehicle.
• Unauthorized Spending: Otunga has accused Opiyo of lavish and illegal spending of union funds without proper approval, in violation of the KUNOPPET constitution and the Labour Relations Act, 2007.

Furthermore, Otunga's actions have reportedly spurred an investigation into Opiyo's financial dealings. Otunga recommended to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Registrar of Trade Unions that KUNOPPET’s bank account be temporarily frozen pending a review and approval of the union's budget by its members. This investigation, along with Otunga's social media campaign mobilizing teachers against Opiyo's plans, is believed to be the catalyst for the hasty and illegal removal.

Otunga is vowing to challenge this dismissal in court next week, confident that the court will overturn Opiyo’s actions and restore him to his position. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of KUNOPPET and the fate of its leadership. The legality of Opiyo's actions and the allegations of financial mismanagement are set to be rigorously examined.