Union Official in Court

A high-ranking official of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Sammy Chelimo Chelang'a, was charged in a Nairobi court on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with forging documents to secure a position on the board of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSS). Mr. Chelang'a, who serves as KUPPET's National Secretary for Tertiary Education Teachers, appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi. He is accused of presenting a fraudulent nominee form to the Principal Secretary of Finance, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, on January 31, 2024, with the intent to defraud the government.

Details of the Allegations

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), alleges that the document falsely claimed to have been signed and validated by KUPPET's Secretary-General, Akello Misori. This forged nomination would have granted Mr. Chelang'a access to and oversight of the pension funds for KUPPET members within the PSS. The court heard that the legitimate nominee put forward by Mr. Misori was the union's National Treasurer, Wicks Mwethi Njenga. The PSS is a contributory retirement scheme for all civil servants, including teachers, police, and prison officers, holding billions of shillings in members' savings. Members contribute 7.5% of their basic salary, with the government contributing a further 15%.

Implications for Teachers' Savings

This case brings to the forefront critical issues of governance and accountability within one of Kenya's most influential trade unions. The alleged attempt to infiltrate the management of the teachers' pension fund raises alarms about the security of retirement savings for thousands of educators. Earlier in 2024, KUPPET's leadership, including Secretary-General Misori, had publicly raised concerns about a leadership vacuum at the PSS, warning that the absence of a properly constituted board of trustees put billions of shillings of pensioners' savings at risk. This context makes the current charges against a senior KUPPET official particularly significant, suggesting internal power struggles may be playing out with members' lifelong savings as the prize.

Internal Union Politics

In his court appearance, Mr. Chelang'a, who was unrepresented, denied the charges of making a false document. He claimed the issue stemmed from internal union disputes that had since been resolved. However, the prosecution countered this, arguing that if the matter were resolved, it would not be before the court. The magistrate advised Mr. Chelang'a to pursue any resolution with the DPP's office. This incident occurs against a backdrop of wider controversy within KUPPET. In March 2025, the union controversially amended its constitution to remove the age limit for top officials, a move critics argued was designed to allow long-serving leaders to entrench themselves in power. This has created visible friction and factions within the union's leadership.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

The prosecution did not oppose Mr. Chelang'a's release on bond. He was granted a cash bail of Sh500,000. The case is scheduled for a mention in two weeks for pre-trial directions. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by teachers and public servants across Kenya, as it carries significant implications for the integrity of pension fund management and the internal governance of the unions entrusted to protect their members' welfare. The legal proceedings will determine whether this was a case of personal ambition leading to alleged criminal acts or a manifestation of deeper-seated conflicts over the control of vast union resources.