Knut refutes claims of planning to endorse political party
Knut Chairman Mudzo Nzili (left) and Secretary General Wilson Sossion address the press at the union's headquarters in Nairobi on February 28, 2017. The union has said it will not back any political party during the August polls. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Sossion said the union is mandated by the its constitution to work with the government of the day for the purpose of meeting interests of teachers.
- All Knut staff who want to vie for any political seat must take a three-months leave to the August elections.
- Union employees who will not clinch political seats will be allowed to resume duty.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) will not support any political party during the August General Elections.
Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion on Tuesday refuted claims in the media that the teachers' union was waiting to announce the political party which they will support in the August polls.
He said: "Knut is a free and independent union which is not affiliated to any party."
Mr Sossion said the union is mandated by its constitution to work with the government of the day for the purpose of meeting interests of teachers.
TAKE THREE MONTHS LEAVE
He said all Knut staff who want to vie for any political seat must take a three-months leave to the elections starting from May 9, 2017.
"Those who will win will be required to retire from the union and formally take up their political seats," he said.
Union employees who will not clinch political seats will be allowed to resume duty.
"However, the union will give them 30 days from August 9, 2017 to reorganise themselves before resuming duty," said Sossion, adding that teachers are free to support any political party of their choice.
The union chairman Mudzo Nzili said teachers will not be intimidated by anyone.
" As a union we will fight for the rights of teachers whether we are heading to the elections or not," he said.
