Voting in the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) elections in Homa Bay County was abruptly suspended on Sunday after chaos erupted at a polling centre amid allegations of serious electoral irregularities.
The exercise had begun smoothly in the morning but was disrupted around midday when claims emerged that some teachers were voting more than once, while others were allegedly allowed to cast ballots despite not meeting the legal voting requirements. The allegations quickly heightened tensions among voters and candidates, leading to disorder at the venue.
During the ensuing chaos, several ballot papers were reportedly burnt while others were destroyed, forcing labour officers who were overseeing the exercise to halt the voting process for security reasons. Teachers present said the situation deteriorated further when the number of voters overwhelmed the election officials, making it difficult to effectively manage and control the process.
Ben Obop, one of the candidates contesting the chairmanship position, accused the labour officers of failing to treat all aspirants equally. He argued that the perceived lack of impartiality contributed to confusion, mistrust, and the eventual breakdown of order during the election.
The KUPPET polls in Homa Bay had attracted intense competition, with at least 37 candidates vying for various leadership positions within the union, underscoring the high stakes involved.
In the aftermath of the disruption, teachers have called on the KUPPET National Election Board and officials from the Ministry of Labour to urgently convene and determine the way forward. Many are demanding that a fresh election be organized under stricter controls to ensure it is peaceful, transparent, and free and fair.
The suspension has raised fresh concerns about electoral management within teachers’ unions, with members urging reforms to safeguard the credibility and integrity of future internal elections.
