Photo caption: KNUT National chair Mudzo Nzili. He has been asked to take a six-month terminal leave ahead of his retirement mid next year. Courtesy: Daily Nation
The Ministry of Labour has come to the rescue of embattled Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Chair Mudzo Nzili after barring the union from replacing him.
Earlier, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion had written to Nzili to vacate office six months to the chair's retirement age.
However, Nzili defied Sossion's directive, asserting that the Secretary General has no powers to issue such a directive.
Nzili has since been handed a lifeline from the Labour ministry, which has stopped his ouster.
In a letter to Mr Sossion on Tuesday, Ms Hellen Apiyo, on behalf of the labour commissioner, pointed out that Nzili should remain KNUT Chair until he attains the retirement age.
“In light of the above and having referred to article 18(c) of the union’s constitution, it would be unlawful to proceed with the planned by-elections scheduled for December 14, since the positions are not yet vacant,” the letter said in part.