It was a sigh of relief to the embattled Knut secretary general, Wilson Sossion, Saturday as COTU boss, Francis Atwoli, defended his post at the union. Mr. Atwoli urged teachers to avoid being cheated by politicians that Sosion can not hold two positions.
According to him, the constitution requires that workers be represented in parliament and that is exactly what Sosion is doing by being in parliament.
He, therefore, asked Knut as a union to feel proud of the fact that they have one of their leaders in parliament.
"Some people are saying that teachers are being cheated that one can not hold two posts, being a member of parliament is not a job. The constitution apparently puts it that workers must be represented in the parliament. Will Sossion represent us from the streets?" he asked.
Speaking during a COTU-K meeting at COTU headquarters in Nairobi, Mr. Atwoli asked teachers to shun party politics that is responsible for the wrangles at the union.
"It is for the advantage of Knut to have their own in parliament and they must be proud. We are happy Sosion is in parliament. Party politics aside, teachers must support Sosion," he added.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has been calling for the resignation of Sosion as the union's secretary general. Sosion has been doubling up as Knut secretary general and nominated member of parliament.
The teachers say that he can not hold the post as he is also a nominated MP. Something the teachers claim will hinder Sosion from representing them fully when advocating for their grievances.