Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has resigned.
Sossion’s resignation comes ahead of tomorrow’s union general elections amid a long standoff with union officials and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
In a press conference at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi, Sossion said that he will focus on articulating workers’ issues through his parliamentary post.
“I have therefore today decided that in the interest of KNUT, it’s membership and myself, I hereby honourably bow out of KNUT leadership,” he said.
He has been at the helm of the powerful teachers union for the last eight years.
Praising his achievements during the time he served at Knut, he said that he shall remain loyal to KNUT and always be available to advice and support the leadership.
He said KNUT memebers deserve credit for the restrain and sobriety they have shown in the face of open provocation and frustrations by the government.
According to him, through his leadership, Kenyan teachers currently earn well comparatively in the region and he realized increased earnings of up to 73 billion per annum.
The vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated Member of Parliament says he is looking forward to concentrate on his political career.
Sossion was facing a stiff competition from Collins Oyuu who seems to have majority support of the delegates in the Knut election scheduled tomorrow at Ruaraka Sports Grounds in Nairobi.
Oyuu with his line up has been touring counties to lure delegates to vote for him and his team.
They pushed for Sossion removal citing bad blood between him and government bringing misfortunes that have befallen the union in the last three years.
Devising means to shutter Sossion’s influence, Teachers Service Commission refused to remit members’ union dues.
Further, they cancelled the union’s recognition agreement in 2019 and stalled promotion for Knut members.
A total of 1,878 delegates are expected to physically attend for the elections.
