KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion [Photo/Daily Post]
The government has come to the rescue of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) chairman, cautioning Secretary General Wilson Sossion against replacing the besieged Mudzo Nzili.
In a statement, the Labour Ministry said Nzili had not attained the retirement age and consequently, it would be unlawful to proceed with the planned by-elections scheduled for December 14 since no positions are vacant.
“In light of the above and having referred to Article 18 (c) of the union constitution it would be unlawful to proceed with the planned by-elections scheduled for 14th December 2017 since the positions are not yet vacant,” it stated in part.
The ministry noted that it had received letters of objection from Nzili, and his 1st Vice Chairman Samson Kaguma who both protested that they have not attained the mandatory retirement age.
“We wish to inform you that we have received letters of objection by the Chairman, Mr Mudzo Nzili, and the 1st Vice Chairman Mr Samson Kaguma who have both indicated that they are yet to attain the mandatory age of retirement of 60 years stipulated by the Union constitution,” the statement from Hellen Apiyo on behalf of labour Commissioner added.
Against Sossion’s latest directive, the ministry advised the teachers’ body to seek the intervention from the Registrar of trade Unions.
A procedural letter by the KNUT Secretary General asking Nzili to proceed on terminal leave pending his retirement due early next year sparked a standoff that has raised tides at the union.
Nzili read mischief in his boss’s directive saying that it was a hurried move to push him out of the union. He said he was going nowhere, dismissing Sossion's authority at the union on grounds that he was a "politician"-nominated in the National Assembly on ODM.
But Sossion told local press that the matter was being sensationalised.
“There is no war between me and Nzili. We will hold a meeting where we will discuss the matter that has been highly sensationalised. The issues we will be discussing is procedural. I will be paying him his wages until May next year and then he will retire like other members,” Sossion said.
He observed that Nzili’s deputy will hold the position before KNUT conducts another election as enshrined in its constitution.