Court Makes Decision on Sacking of KNUT Secretary General Sossion

The High Court has invalidated a Gazette Notice issued by Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie directing union officials who hold public office to relinquish their trade union positions.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion and KUPPET chairman Omboko Milemba were listed among those who were expected to leave their positions.

On Thursday, Sossion rubbished the directive stating that only the Registrar of Trade Unions can strip any official of his position.

[caption caption="Labour CS Phyllis Kandie"][/caption]

He accused CS Kandie of engaging in 'dirty politics' and reiterated that he would not resign.

“I can only regret that (Ms) Kandie is also engaging in the dirty politics," he was quoted by the Business Daily.

According to the Gazette notice, the 11 officials who currently hold public office were no longer officials at their respective trade unions.

Mr Milemba was elected on August 8 to represent Emuhaya Constituency on Amani National Congress (ANC) ticket while Sossion is a nominated MP for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

According to article 77 of the Constitution, a full-time State officer shall not participate in any other gainful employment and any appointed State officer shall not hold office in a political party.

“It is notified for general information of the public that the following persons, being state officers as per provisions of articles 77 and 260 of the Constitution cease to hold office immediately as trade union officials in their respective unions,” read the notice.

The decision to lift the Gazette Notice was welcomed by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo who termed Kandie's directive as 'strange'.

[caption caption="Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo"][/caption]