Here is what Sossion said as he resigned from KNUT
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion is not going to defend his position in KNUT after he announced his resignation yesterday.
Sossion revealed the big news yesterday saying that he decided not to be involved in the elections that are taking place today at the Ruaraka Sports Clun in Nairobi.
Sossion did not present his nomination papers to the Ministry of Labour Officials yesterday. Reports reveal that most delegates had already denounced their support for Sossion.
Now we provide Sossion’s official statement on his resignation as the KNUT Secretary General.
I BOW OUT AFTER OFFERING MY UTMOST BEST TO KENYA NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS AND TEACHERS OF KENYA
“Esteemed media houses represented at this occasion, I salute you all. It is an opportune moment to make observations, remarks and declarations following my career as a trade union leader at KNUT, Education International African Region Office and the Federation of East African Teachers Unions.
“I chose to address you on the eve of KNUT national elections after extensive and exhaustive consultations with my fellow unionists, my colleagues in the political world, professional associates, and my family.
“Ladies and gentlemen, right from the date I was first picked to serve KNUT as an elected leader at the branch level in 2001 rising through the ranks and file to the position of Secretary-General and the President of Education International African Chapter, I have never looked behind all through I have been fighting for teachers’ professional and labor rights and campaigning for the delivery of Quality Public Education.
“My agitation for teachers democratic space, professional and labor rights has always paid off, with the most outstanding being teachers of Kenya signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for the first time in 60 years when I led a thirty-six (36) days nationwide strike in September to October 2015 that eventually delivered the 1st career Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“Under my watch as the Secretary-General of KNUT, I managed to successfully push for teachers’ better terms and conditions of service, salary, and allowance increments.
“Kenyan teachers currently earn well comparatively in the region and through my leadership, I have realized increased earnings of up to 73 billion per annum.
“More teachers have equally been employed on permanent and pensionable terms via my leadership.
“Before the dark clouds descended on KNUT in July 2019 the Union leadership through dialogue with TSC successfully pushed for the enhanced working environment of our members; improved the welfare of teaches, and more so, dispute resolutions mechanism was the order of the day whenever there was a misunderstanding between KNUT and TSC.
“However, KNUT success story has not gone without hitches and challenges which I still believe were stage-managed by people with ulterior motives and enemies of trade unionism and who also thought that Sossion was a threat to State security.
“A belief that a strong Union is not good for the government which is a great fallacy. A strong trade union is good for quality education.
“I thank Retired-President Mzee Mwai Kibaki for his leadership style and fully recognizing the role of trade unions in the modern world.
“During Kibaki’s time, there was respect and consideration of labor rights for workers, unlike today where a section of government regards unions as enemies of the State.
“During Kibaki’s tenure, there was decorum and decency in handling labour matters.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta for engaging us severally and ensuring that Labour issues were well resolved.
“Current earnings by teachers are largely attributed to him individually.
“Decline in Democracy and human rights for trade unions is real in Kenya. The government is opposed to the activities of unions in the Public Service such as Universities Academic Staff Union, Kenya Universities Staff Union, Kenya Dock Workers Union, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentist Union, Kenya National Nurses Union, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, KNUT among many others.
“To sum up, I would wish to restate that KNUT members deserve credit for the restrain and sobriety they have shown in the face of open provocation and frustration by the Government.
“I salute all members of KNUT. Remain Resilient to the end.
“I have therefore today decided that in the interest of KNUT, its membership, and myself, I hereby honorably bow out of KNUT leadership. I shall remain loyal to KNUT and always available to advise and support the leadership. I trust that the Government of Kenya will find it necessary to allow Union Dues to flow to KNUT again.
“I shall continue serving Kenyans in other capacities and for the remaining period of the 12th parliament, I shall devote myself to myself to my work at the National Assembly undivided.
“And for those who will be elected on Saturday, June 26th, 2021, I beseech you, never be compromised by any authority, and don’t be converted into tools of commerce.
“Always respect the mission of the Union and champion the interests and aspirations of teachers. Forge unity and never betray your members.
“I hail the Media houses for according me and KNUT the deserving Press coverage and continuously highlighting the ills, trials, and misfortunes faced by teachers.
“I will continue to support KNUT and any other trade movement under whatever circumstances whenever my services are sought.
Thank you.“
HON. WILSON SOSSION.
SECRETARY-GENERAL K.N.U.T
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