Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion’s war with the Teachers
Service Commission has taken a different cause as the employee decides to
gazette his de-registration.
In a Gazette notice number 10382, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia states
categorically that Mr. Sossion cease to be a teacher effective October 29,
2019.
The move to de-register Mr. Sossion came following his nomination
to parliament in 2017.
The Employment and Labour relations Court in July ruled that TSC
should go ahead with its plan of deregistering the Secretary General, owing to
his political debut.
Justice Nelson Abuodha said in his ruling that Mr Sossion’s
election as a union official was underpinned by the fact that he was and
remained a teacher, and is therefore subject to regulations governing the
teaching service.
“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.
However, the ruling did not matter to him, as he cited cases of
teachers in the union who have resigned from TSC but still maintain their
positions in the union.
“A lot of misinformation is
being peddled about a (court) ruling with respect to my relationship with TSC
on employment contract. The matter under contestation has been exclusively on
employment contract and not registration,” he stated.
The row escalated in August, when a section of Knut members ousted
Sossion, with reports linking the move to TSC’s influence.
But the court reinstated Sossion’s position in September, with Justice
Helen Wasilwa directing that he should continue holding office pending the
hearing and determination of an application to nullify the ‘illegal’ National
Elections Council meeting resolution.
The big question is, will Sossion maintain his post as KNUT
secretary general following TSC’s move?
Last month, Knut in conjuction with Trade Union (Cotu) said that
harmony has been bestowed and there were no further divisions in the union.