This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 29, 2019, the Labour court ruled in favor of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), allowing it to deregister the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) as a teacher after its Secretary General, Wilson Sossion, joined politics as an ODM nominated Member of Parliament.
As a result, TSC removed Mr. Sossion from its list of teachers on Monday, effectively deregistering him.
However, Mr. Sossion dismissed the move as inconsequential, stating, "The deregistration changes nothing." He cited Article 34 (A) of the Labour Relations Act, saying the termination of his contract did not affect his rights as a union official.
The Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) has since rallied behind Mr. Sossion, saying TSC should stop intimidation. Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli stated in a press release, "As Cotu, we wish to acknowledge that Mr. Sossion holds a valid and legitimate position in the leadership of Knut. Equally, the ruling does not in any way affect the position of secretary general as he is an elected leader nominated and voted in by members of Knut."
