In summary:
The Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion will remain in office.
This decision was arrived at by the labour court.
The labour court also said that Mr Sossion will continue serving in his capacity until a general election is conducted to replace him.
Judge Hellen Wasilwa said that the malicious meeting convened to advocate for his oust was illegal and in contempt of court.
Mr Sossion had been ousted following his “unbecoming conduct”.
COURT’S RULING
Mr Wilson Sossion is an elated man following a court ruling which reinstated him fully as the KNUT Secretary-General.
The court said that Sossion will continue serving in his full capacity until he is legally replaced through an election held by the parties involved.
Sossion’s wish to have all KNUT union’s bank transactions conducted without his consultation was also granted.
SOSSION’S RIVAL
Sossion’s fierce competitor Hesbon Otieno claims that on 29th August 2019, a meeting convened by KNUT through its NEC members decided to expel the secretary-general.
He further added that the meeting was convened under the union’s constitution.
The resolve to oust Mr Sossion was arrived at following extensive consultations between all the 29 members.
SOSSION’S GROSS MISCONDUCT
The following accusations bordering on gross misconduct were levelled against the embattled KNUT secretary
1. Sacking full-time employees without consulting NEC.
2. Sending full-time employees on compulsory leave.
3. Issuing strike notices before consulting the relevant stakeholders.
4. Recruitment of full-time employees single-handedly.
5. Ignoring decisions made by NEC and failure to implement them.
THE RED BUTTON
The nominated ODM Member of Parliament has refuted claims that 90, 000 KNUT members had pressed the red button- left the union.
He also trashed the claim that 18, 000 KNUT members had abandoned the union for their rival union KUPPET. He says that this was a narrative that was being spun to kick him out of office.
WITHHELD KNUT FUNDS
Mr Sossion further cited outright bullying and mistreatment of KNUT members by the Teachers Service Commission.
According to Sossion, their members were denied their rightful dues amounting to Kshs 10, 000.
This was part of the second phase of the salary increment. The members were then persuaded to press the red button if they wanted to receive their dues.
More reports also indicate that the union has not received its Sh 140 million, a move that has greatly paralyzed union activities.
SOSSION’S FATE
Mr Sossion’s fate will be fully determined on Friday. The court is expected to determine whether he can hold two positions simultaneously – serving as the Kenya National Union of Teachers’ Secretary-General and as an Orange Democratic Movement nominated Member of Parliament.
The case against the KNUT Secretary General Mr Sossion was filed by seven teachers.
The labour court’s ruling on Friday very crucial for it will shape the politics of KNUT union’s leadership.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court is also expected to give a ruling on the conditions surrounding the removal of Mr Sossion from office and whether the NEC members were given orders to halt the meeting.
