This archive report was first published on 25 June 2021.
KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion has resigned, effective immediately, ahead of the union's elections scheduled for tomorrow, June 26, 2021.
According to Sossion, his resignation is in the best interest of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), its membership, and leaders, who have been embroiled in a long-standing dispute with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Sossion expressed hope that his resignation would prompt the TSC to release union dues to the teachers' union, which has been a contentious issue for years.
"There have always been arguments that for as long as I stay, the government will not release the union dues," Sossion said.
KNUT leaders have gone without salary for over two years and medical cover, a situation that Sossion described as unacceptable.
He paid tribute to the late executive secretary of KNUT Narok branch, who died at home due to lack of medical cover, and urged others in similar situations to remain resilient.
Sossion's resignation comes just days after he attempted to postpone the KNUT elections, a move that was met with opposition from his rival, Collins Oyuu.
"Postponement of the election is not true; our brother is just playing politics," Oyuu said. "The process of conducting elections was planned when Sossion himself was there by the National Executive Council, and we were shocked to learn that he advised the Ministry of Health otherwise...if at all Sossion is not ready for this election, let him quit peacefully," Oyuu added.
