Kuppet elections in Homa Bay suspended due to violence

Kenya Union of Primary School Teachers (Kuppet) elections set to be held in Homa Bay County have been called off.

The Kuppet elections set for 24^th January 2021 in Kosele town at GEB Girls Secondary School aborted due to rigging claims.

The current Executive Secretary Stephen Yogo and Vice Chairman Jack Okoth were accused by a group supporting Samuel Owee of rigging claims.

Tensions began at around 1pm when Owee’s group insisted the election could not continue unless the planned rigging got addressed.

An argument between the two groups ensued forcing police to step in and disperse the rowdy supporters.

One of the barred contestants Mr. JB Owino, said that Okoth resulted to rigging after suspecting he might lose.

Mr. JB Owino also complained of being blocked from contesting the seat in very unclear circumstances.

The Organizing Secretary for Kuppet Mr. Paul Maingi who was in-charge of the exercise decided to cancel after chaos broke out.

Mr. Maingi admitted that there were instances of irregularities but the teachers were so agitated they could not be controlled.

In-spite of the violence, Mr. Maingi insisted that they will work on the matter with Kuppet national office on a new date for the elections.

Homa Bay Kuppet elections have cued two groups vying for various posts. Team Focus headed by the defending Mr. Yogo and Petition for change headed by Owee whose eyeing the executive secretary post.