TSC De-registers KNUT-Secretary General Wilson Sossion

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has kicked out senior officials who joined politics but still hold positions at various teachers' unions.

According to The Standard, TSC wrote a letter to the officials including; Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion and 9 others informing them that since they had joined politics they were no longer teachers.

“The commission has decided to terminate your services as a teacher with effect from January 15, 2018. It has been noted that you were nominated as a Member of Parliament yet the Commission has not received your resignation or retirement letter," the letter read in part.

[caption caption="Nominated MP Wilson Sossion"][/caption]

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Sossion, noted that he left the service in 2001 but did not comment on the way forward.

"TSC released me in 2001 to serve in the union full time," he stated.

The moves comes two months after Cabinet Secretary Phylis Kandie issued a Gazette notice instructing Mr Sossion, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, and nine other trade union officials to vacate office.

The CS notified members of the public on that the eleven trade union officials who currently hold public office were no longer officials at their respective trade unions.

"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.

Under article 77 and 260 of the constitution, state officers are barred from holding any other office that will profit them as employees.

"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," article 77 of the constitution states.

Following the notice by CS Kandie, Sossion and the other officials moved to court where they got orders temporarily blocking the government from sacking them.

Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, who is the current Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Chairman also received the letter of de-registration.

[caption caption="File image of MP Omboko Milemba"][/caption]