Don’t campaign for Jubilee in schools, Sossion tells Matiang’i

Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion. He has accused Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of using school events to campaign for the re-election of the Jubilee administration. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Sossion said that holding rallies in school compounds is also against the law.
  • On Monday, Dr Matiang’i went round schools in Kisii issuing cheques meant for infrastructural development.
  • He said some leaders are fond of touring the region to engage in what he termed as “rallies, empty talk and dancing.”

Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has accused Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of using school events to campaign for the re-election of the Jubilee administration.

The trade unionist said that Dr Matiang’i’s activities are contrary to his own order against the use of schools as platforms for political campaigns.

According to Mr Sossion, the minister has been campaigning for Jubilee in the guise of issuing cheques for development programmes in schools.

Mr Sossion said that holding rallies in school compounds is also against the law.

“Rallies should be conducted outside schools during learning hours because it affects normal running of schools. In fact this is a rule that was introduced by the CS,” Mr Sossion told the Nation.

On Monday, Dr Matiang’i went round schools in Kisii issuing cheques meant for infrastructural development while in the company of political leaders affiliated to Jubilee.

Dr Matiang’i visited Bishop Mogendi Nyamokenye, St Joseph’s Nyamware, Nyaura Secondary School and Ngeri Polytechnic, accompanied by aspirants from the region.

During the visits the minister warned members of the Kisii community against electing leaders “who are all talk and no action.”

EMPTY TALK AND DANCING

During a visit to Nyaura Secondary School, Dr Matiang’i said some leaders are fond of touring the region to engage in what he termed as “rallies, empty talk and dancing.”

“Some of these people only come here to hold rallies filled with empty talk and dancing. They cannot even assist a school or church construction project,” said Dr Matiangi.

He asked residents to vote wisely in the coming polls, saying the culture of empty talk is counterproductive to the people’s development aspirations.

The minister ordered an immediate end to the use of school going children to entertain guests during various events.

However, in all the schools he visited, students were pulled out of class to entertain him.

Mr Sossion said the minister’s activities were against the Constitution which bars Cabinet secretaries from engaging in politics.

“He is a State officer [and] if he is visiting schools accompanied by politicians then Jesus is about to come back,” Mr Sossion said.

Kuppet Kisii branch Chairman Osoro Okondo accused politicians in the, county especially those affiliated to the ruling party, of moving round schools disturbing learning activities.

“We…have been receiving calls from teachers in various institutions about the politics that has been taking place in their institutions. As a union we condemn any politics taking place in schools,” said Mr Okondo.