Sossion suspended as KNUT Secretary General

The Kenya National Union of Teachers has suspended its secretary general.

However, Wilson Sossion termed as 'sideshows' the vote by the union’s top decision-making organ that elevated his deputy, Hesbon Otieno, to take over his position.

The changes were announced yesterday during a press conference addressed by Wycliffe Omuchei, an erstwhile ally of Sossion who took over the chairmanship from Mudzo Nzili.

Sossion ousted Nzili last year on grounds that he had reached retirement age.

Mr Otieno declared that he had taken over as the official chief executive of the union.

“I am the spokesperson of Knut as per the union’s national executive council (NEC) resolution while Collins Oyuu is now the acting deputy secretary general,” said Otieno.

Minutes of the Monday meeting seen by The Standard show that Sossion lost the vote put to the committee on whether he should continue to be the union’s secretary general.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Omuchei and attended by 35 NEC members.

According to Omuchei, 22 members voted against Sossion while only two voted for him to remain at the union’s leadership.

“Sossion, stay aside and wait for the annual delegates' conference. We love you but we are setting the record straight. Stop peddling lies and respect the will of the people,” declared Omuchei.

But Sossion argued that the national advisory council meeting he chaired on Monday mandated him to stay at the union’s helm, a matter disputed by the new Knut leadership.

“I am told he is clinging to the advisory board. The work of that board is to advise only. Sossion, you know the law, respect it!” said Omuchei.

The new leaders said Sossion was voted out for failing to implement union decisions.

“Knut has a constitution that must be respected and the rules apply to every member. We want to dispel the notion that there are people who are not affected by these rules,” said Omuchei.

Omuchei outlined the process that led to Sossion's ouster.

“On April 11, the NEC met and deliberated on many matters, which included Sossion’s leadership. Sossion later disobeyed NEC’s stand,” he said.

He added that on April 30, the NEC met again to discuss Sossion.

“The NEC has a right to suspend a leader. The NEC meeting at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on Monday was chaired by me,” Omuchei said, adding that the NEC members voted through secret ballot.

He declared Sossion suspended from office until matters surrounding him were finalised.

“Sossion is on suspension as from Monday,” he said.