The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is staring at a possible leadership showdown after reports emerged that former Secretary General Wilson Sossion is quietly preparing to challenge the current office holder, Collins Oyuu, in next year’s union elections.
Though Sossion — who also served as a nominated Member of Parliament between 2017 and 2022 — has not made any public declaration, close associates and insiders suggest that plans for a comeback are already in motion.
Sources intimate that Sossion is seeking to “reclaim his voice” in the teachers’ movement, which he once led with fiery charisma and controversy in equal measure.
According to individuals close to him, the former KNUT boss has been making quite preparations for the next polls.
One insider told Education News that Sossion has already informed Oyuu to “prepare for a tough battle” as he readies himself for what could be one of the fiercest contests in KNUT’s recent history.
“Sossion called Oyuu recently and told him to brace for a competitive race. He feels the union has lost direction since he left and believes it’s time to restore its former vibrancy,” said a source familiar with the developments.
The reports have ignited mixed reactions among teachers and union members across the country. The story has been trending on various teachers’ social media forums, sparking heated discussions over whether Sossion’s return would revive or destabilize the union.
Supporters describe him as a bold and uncompromising leader who fought fearlessly for teachers’ rights. One teacher, Wesley Kibet, commented online that “Sossion had a voice that commanded respect — he was never afraid to speak truth to power.”
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However, critics believe the former union boss should stay out of KNUT politics, arguing that his time in leadership has passed. Simeon Ojala, remarked, “Someone should remind Sossion that there is a rule — one man, one job. He is not the only broom that can sweep KNUT clean.”
Another contributor, Sababu Karani, was even more dismissive, saying “Sossion is a used cartridge and not fit for the job at this stage.”
Meanwhile, sources within the Oyuu camp are said to be increasingly jittery about Sossion’s possible return. According to insiders, some of Oyuu’s allies are allegedly reaching out to government emissaries and contacts within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to lobby for Sossion to be offered a state appointment or another senior position — a move intended to keep him from contesting the KNUT seat. “They believe giving Sossion a government role would neutralize him politically and spare the union a bruising contest,” one senior official claimed.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which regulates the teaching profession, terminated Sossion’s contract in 2019, citing a breach of neutrality after he ventured into active politics. In a gazette notice published that year, the commission stated:
“The Teachers Service Commission has removed the name of the individual named herein (Wilson Sossion) from the register of teachers. Further, under the law, the individual cannot engage in teaching in any school.”
The decision followed months of tension between Sossion and TSC, during which he accused the commission of interfering with union affairs, while the TSC faulted him for using the union as a political platform.
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Sossion eventually resigned as KNUT Secretary General in 2021, citing frustrations and alleged state interference. His exit paved the way for Collins Oyuu, who was elected to lead the union through a more conciliatory and dialogue-driven approach.
Despite Oyuu’s efforts to restore calm and rebuild relations with the government, some members claim that the union’s influence has waned under his leadership. They argue that KNUT has lost its once-vibrant voice and bargaining power in defending teachers’ interests — a gap that Sossion’s supporters believe he can fill once again.
Still, others warn that a comeback by Sossion could reopen old wounds and reignite divisions that once crippled the union. “We need unity and a forward-looking leadership, not endless battles,” said one Nairobi delegate who requested anonymity.
As speculation continues to mount, the question remains whether Sossion will officially declare his candidacy — and whether teachers are ready to give him a second chance.
If he does, the Sossion–Oyuu face-off promises to be one of the most closely watched union elections in Kenya’s history, with the potential to reshape the country’s most powerful teachers’ movement.
By Philip Koech
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