Teachers want Knut sec-gen Wilson Sossion out
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion speaks during a press briefing about teachers' welfare, at Knut offices in Nairobi on March 23, 2018. Some teachers want him removed as secretary-general. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The teachers said Mr Sossion’s attention is divided and he cannot fully discharge his duties.
- Mr Sossion sued the Teachers Service Commission after being sacked as a public school teacher.
Seven teachers moved to court Thursday seeking the removal of Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion.
In an application certified urgent by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, the seven argued that Mr Sossion, who is also a nominated MP, is illegally holding two full-time jobs.
Led by Mr Kenneth Bande, Mr James Ng’ang’a and Ms Gladys Alemi, they told the court that the position of secretary-general is paramount to the attainment of the overall objectives of the union because he plays very critical roles.
Among the duties of the secretary-general are issuance of notices for all conferences and meetings, preparation of the agenda for all meetings, attending all annual delegates’ conferences, attending all meetings of the national executive committee and being the chief executive officer of the union.
ILLEGAL
They said Mr Sossion’s attention is divided and he cannot fully discharge his duties.
They said that as fully paid-up members of Knut, they are entitled to fair representation, especially by the union officials.
The teachers said that being a State officer, Mr Sossion is barred from holding parallel gainful employment, therefore, his position is against the law.
“The petitioners’ rights to effective representation have been compromised as a result of his diminished capacity owing to the gross violation of section 26 (1) of the Leadership and Integrity Act,” they argued.
TSC
They want the court to intervene and stop violation of the Constitution.
The judge directed them to serve the court papers to Mr Sossion ahead of the hearing on April 9.
This is the second case involving Mr Sossion after he was nominated as an MP by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
In the other case, Mr Sossion on February this year sued the Teachers Service Commission after being sacked as a public school teacher.
