Kericho County Senator Samson Cherargei has expressed his support for Wilson Sossion’s bid to reclaim the position of Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), calling it a timely and significant development for the education sector.
Cherargei, speaking in favour of Sossion’s return, described the former KNUT leader’s comeback as a critical moment for teachers across the country.
He lightheartedly noted that during Sossion’s previous tenure, he “used to give us long holidays,” referring to the former leader’s strong influence on education policy.
The senator wished Sossion the best in his renewed attempt to lead the teachers’ union.
However, Cherargei directed a side comment at Nominated Senator Joyce Korir from Bomet County, urging that Sossion should not return to stir local affairs in Bomet. Korir, for her part, responded by clarifying that Sossion’s intentions were not to re-enter teacher politics but to work closely with the government in a collaborative capacity.
Lawyer Senator Hillary Sigei also weighed in on the matter, asserting that the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) removal of Sossion from the teachers’ register had been illegal.
Sigei explained that the decision was overturned after a court ruled in Sossion’s favour, stating that the deregistration process had been procedurally unfair.
Although the TSC had legitimate grounds to remove Sossion due to his political appointment as a Member of Parliament, the court found that the procedure was flawed, leading to the reinstatement of his status as a teacher.
Sossion, who served as the Secretary General of KNUT from December 2013 to June 2021, had stepped down from the leadership position to focus on his duties as a nominated Member of Parliament. However, in his announcement about his return to the union, Sossion revealed that his decision had been influenced by mounting pressure from teachers nationwide who had called for his comeback.
However, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu has stated that former union boss Sossion is not eligible to contest for the union’s top position.
READ ALSO: Oyuu declares Sossion ineligible to vie for KNUT SG seat
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Oyuu emphasised that the KNUT constitution allows only registered members to vie for leadership positions and stated that he had resigned in 2021.
He questioned Sossion’s eligibility, noting that non-members cannot seek entry into the race outside the established rules.
By Obegi Malack
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