Kenyans.co.ke has exclusively obtained a letter issued by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion ordering retirement of two of the union's top bosses.
Chairman Mudzo Nzili and his vice-chairman Samson Kaguma have been ordered to vacate office in anticipation of their attaining the retirement age.
Mr Sossion, who is also a nominated Member of Parliament for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), further appointed the second vice-chairman, Mr Wycliffe Omucheyi, to be the acting Chairman of the advocacy group as fresh elections are scheduled to take place on December 14.
"We have had historical confusion on the decent and smooth exits by retiring national officials some of whom have falsified documents in the past to change their ages.
[caption caption="KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion with Chairman Mudzo Nzili"]
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"Be informed that Bro. Mudzo Nzili retires on 16th May 2018 and Bro. Samson Kaguma on 2nd April 2018. They have been granted six months mandatory leave prior to the said dates," the ODM MP stated in a letter issued to the Union's executive secretaries.
Mr Nzili confirmed having received the retirement letter and strongly asserted that he had not resigned. Further probing into the matter elicited a dismissive "I do not want to comment further on this issue, please".
A member of the Union, however, alleged that Mr Sossion had acted alone and the move had not been agreed upon by the members.
"As a union, we did not meet to deliberate on this issue. You cannot force someone out even before he attains the mandatory retirement age. You cannot also call for an election to replace somebody who is still in office," the member observed.
Mr Nzili and the Secretary-General have been at loggerheads since 2013 when Sossion managed to oust Nzili who was the then Secretary-General.
Their differences were further fueled by political differences after Sossion accepted nomination from the Orange party.
While Nzili called on teachers to align with the ruling party, Sossion drummed up support for the Opposition.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Mr Sossion stated that the move was well within his mandate as Secretary-General and in accordance with the Union's constitution.
[caption caption="ODM nominated MP Wilson Sossion"]
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"The letters are part of the administrative mandate of my office. As per the constitution, I am required to issue the letters within six months before the due date for retirement.
"Should Mr Nzili seek to pursue the matter in court, he is allowed. However, he may still have to pass through my office for the matter to proceed in court," he stated.
The KNUT leader further insisted that all union officials ought to adhere to the body's constitution especially on the issue of retirement and avoid doctoring documents to prolong their years in service.
Here is a copy of Mr Sossion's letter.
