Akelo Misori: From Classroom Teacher to National Union Leader at KUPPET

By Jane Odeny

Akelo Misori is a Kenyan educationist, trade unionist, and the Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). He is widely known for advocating for the rights of teachers and for reforms in Kenya’s education sector.

Misori was born in Wang’chieng’ in East Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County, Kenya, and grew up in a family of teachers. Inspired by his father and siblings, who were educators, he developed an interest in teaching from an early age. He attended a Harambee school, St. Alfred Alara secondary school in Homabay, and due to strikes in 1980, he transferred to Wang’apala secondary school, which was a government-assisted school. He then studied at Agoro Sare High Scool for his A-levels, before joining Siriba Teachers Training College, now part of Maseno University, where he earned a Diploma in Education. Later, he joined Kenyatta University and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Religion. Misori also holds a master’s degree in public policy.

Before joining union leadership, Misori worked as a teacher for more than two decades in several schools, including Migori Boys High School. During his teaching career, he also served as a games master and football coach. His experience in schools exposed him to the challenges faced by teachers, motivating him to join trade union activities.

He has co-authored Teachers, Unions and Labour Relations in Kenya with John Onyando. This work explores the history and gains of teacher unionism, educational reforms, and labour struggles, while highlighting labour rights, leadership, social justice, education, and politics.

He became active in KUPPET in the early 2000s and rose through the ranks to become the union’s national chairperson before assuming the Secretary-General’s position. Under his leadership, KUPPET expanded significantly and became one of the most influential teachers’ unions in Kenya. Misori has consistently advocated for better salaries, promotions, improved working conditions, and fair treatment of teachers.

In addition to teachers’ welfare, Misori has also spoken strongly on educational reforms, students’ rights, and issues affecting children, such as child labour and abuse. He has criticized inequalities in schools and opposed policies he believes disadvantage learners or teachers.

In addition to union leadership, Misori invested in education by establishing Rosehill School in Migori as a way of giving back to the community and supporting affordable education.

Jane is a research assistant at Free Press Publishers.