I’m not the enemy, Knut boss declares

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) officials from Rift Valley declare their support for their Secretary General Wilson Sossion. [Robert Kiplagat, Standard]

Embattled Wilson Sossion yesterday extended an olive branch to his adversaries following his reinstatement as Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General.

Just hours after the labour court reinstated him, Mr Sossion was at the footsteps of Knut offices in Nairobi, to cement his authority even as the doors to the building remained closed.

“We gave our staff leave to take their children to school,” he said.

The offices, however, have not been fully operational since last week when a rival faction of Knut stormed in to eject him.

Sossion said the manner in which he was removed as secretary general was not right, and that the registrar of trade unions ought to have known better.

He said he was a duly elected union official, adding: “There is a constitutional procedure to follow,” he said.

He said Kenya was governed by laws that all entities should adhere to.

“The freedom of trade unions to freely operate and organise its members must be guaranteed,” said Sossion.

External issues 

The Knut official said union leaders should not be vilified for the decisions they make on behalf of their members. “I am not an enemy of anyone,” he restated.

Sossion dismissed the turbulence in the union as a storm in a teacup, saying most of the issues were more external than internal.

He said he did not anticipate any more exchange with union members, as he looks forward to a peaceful third term so that teachers and students can concentrate on the national examinations.

“I am also asking everyone, let us calm down. All of them are my children. I understand that. Let everyone come back to the office and let us work in peace,” said Sossion.

Sossion extended the same olive branch to the Education ministry and TSC, which he had been battling in court.