This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
TSC vs Knut: A Personal Vendetta Against Wilson Sossion? ¶
November 27, 2019
The war between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Teachers (Knut) secretary general Wilson Sossion has taken a personal turn, with TSC executive officer Nancy Macharia removing Sossion from the teachers' register.
According to sources, Macharia's move is seen as a clear attempt to weaken the labour movement in the country, with many Kenyans viewing it as a move to bring Sossion down.
Notably, there are several union members who are members of parliament, but Macharia has not removed them from the teachers' register, raising questions about her motives.
For long, there have been rumors that William Ruto has been uncomfortable with Sossion, an ODM nominated MP, for fear that Sossion may whip teachers from his Kipsigisland and parts of the country to undermine his presidential bid.
On October 29, Macharia issued a Kenya Gazette notice (number 10382 under TSC Act) removing Sossion (TSC No 340096) from the teachers' register.
“Pursuant to section 30 of the TSC Act, TSC has removed the name of the individual under named from the register of the teachers. Further, under the law the individual cannot engage teaching in any school,” part of the notice read.
Many Knut members from across the country are questioning why Macharia has not removed other teachers who are members of parliament from the teachers' register, if it is not a personal vendetta against Sossion.
“Was Sossion gazetted as a teacher when he was employed by TSC to also warrant Macharia to use the same system of removing him from the teachers' register,” another member remarked.
A former retired teacher from Kakamega county, Nathan Kizito, has faulted Macharia for her action, terming it the highest degree of impunity, dictatorship, and partiality.
When Sossion was contacted, he said that he had become a sacrificial lamb because of the stand of fighting for the rights of teachers and good governance in the education sector.
