This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
On July 26, 2019, Employment and Labour Court Judge Nelson Abuodha delivered a verdict allowing the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to deregister Wilson Sossion, the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), after he entered politics.
The court's decision was based on the fact that Sossion's election as a union official was underpinned by his status as a teacher, making him subject to regulations governing the teaching service.
Section 16 of the Teachers Code of Conduct and Ethics (2015) requires teachers to maintain political neutrality at all times and not act in a manner that may compromise or be perceived to compromise their neutrality.
Justice Abuodha noted that Sossion's acceptance of the nomination to National Assembly by ODM was inconsistent with his contractual obligation to TSC as a teacher.
“The acceptance of the nomination to National Assembly by ODM obviously puts Mr Sossion on a partisan political activity. It was a manifestation of an agreement to support ODM agenda both in and outside Parliament,” said Justice Abuodha.
The judge further stated that TSC had ably demonstrated that Sossion's association and acceptance of nomination as a Member of Parliament on ODM party ticket went against its tenets as an institution in charge of regulations and discipline of those in teaching service.
