Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has declared himself eligible to contest for the influential position once again, signaling a potential return to the union’s leadership.
Sossion served as the Secretary-General of KNUT from 2013 to 2021, when he stepped down from the position.
The former union boss, in a press conference, then said “he had outgrown the Kenya National Union of Teachers,” and will focus on articulating workers’ issues through his parliamentary post.
He spent nine active years at the helm of KNUT, first serving as chairman before assuming the powerful role of Secretary-General.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Sossion emphasized his extensive leadership experience, global exposure, and strong foundation in education and trade unions as qualifications that make him well-suited for the role.
The former nominated MP noted that the ongoing trade union election season presents opportunities for individuals with proven leadership credentials to vie for key positions across the labour movement.
Sossion Says He Is Eligible to Run for KNUT Secretary General Again
“I have a solid foundation, global experience in trade union matters, and in education issues, as well as a strong background in education leadership,” he said.
“It is election season for trade unions, and the fact, according to the provisions of Article 41 of the Constitution, is that I am eligible to be elected as the Secretary-General of any trade union in the country. That is a fact.”
However, when pressed to confirm whether he would indeed throw his hat in the ring for the KNUT Secretary General seat, Sossion remained non-committal, saying Kenyans would have to wait a little longer for his official decision.
He went on to describe himself as “KNUT’s most loyal member” and confirmed that his subscription is active until 2026.
“By subscription and registration, I am a member of KNUT. In fact, I have subscribed up to June 2026. I am the most loyal member of KNUT,” he noted.
“Can we have Christmas close to the year, and when it gets to that time, we will know,” he quipped.”
Also Read: Teachers to Get New Promotion Path as TSC Reviews Career Guidelines
KNUT SG Oyuu Accuses Sossion of Undermining Union Ahead of Elections
This comes after KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu accused Sossion of using the name of President William Ruto to campaign for his return to the helm of the teachers’ union during next year’s elections.
He said the move has created divisions within the union, with reports that Oyuu is being warned not to set foot in certain regions perceived to be Sossion’s strongholds.
Oyuu added that Sossion’s leadership had left teachers without fair pay and warned that teachers would not allow him to return and destabilize the union’s leadership.
“This man left the union dead because of his confrontational and useless leadership, which did not bring anything to the table for the teachers,” said Oyuu.
Oyuu became the seventh KNUT Secretary General and was the only candidate contesting for the influential position previously held by Sossion for nearly eight years.
Following the warnings, KNUT National Chairman Patrick Karinga requested that the state provide Oyuu with a bodyguard to ensure his safety in any part of the country.
“We are asking the state to provide our SG with a bodyguard to ensure his safety following threats against his life,” said Karinga.
Also Read: How Teachers Can Add and Update Dependents on SHA
KNUT Conditions for Officials to Vacate Office
According to the KNUT constitution, every full-time officer of the union shall vacate office upon serving a full five-year term, regardless of age.
An officer is also ineligible for re-election upon reaching sixty-five (65) years of age.
Other circumstances that require an officer to vacate office include resigning by notice in writing to the National Executive Council or Branch Executive Committee, death, or removal by vote at a National Delegates Conference or Special Delegates Conference.
Officers must also step down if they are jailed for fraud, found guilty of misappropriating funds, permanently incapacitated, elected or nominated to Parliament, the Senate, or a County Assembly, or appointed to state positions that may create a conflict of interest.
Sossion Woes With TSC
The Teachers Service Commission deregistered Sossion in January 2018 following his entry into politics, which was perceived to affect his neutrality as required by the commission’s laws.
TSC, in dismissing Sossion, argued that accepting a nomination to Parliament by a partisan political party was inconsistent with his position as a public officer and a teacher under the control and supervision of the commission.
The Employment and Labor Relations Court dismissed Sossion’s attempt to save his position as a teacher within the corridors of justice in May 2021, following a similar attempt in 2019 that had also failed.
He first came into the limelight as a regional union official in Bomet on April 27, 2001.
In 2007, Sossion won the seat of the second vice national chairman and went on to be elected Knut’s first national vice chairman, before being elected as the union’s chairman in 2011.
His rise to national leadership was attributed to his eloquence and abrasive demeanour.
Those familiar with Sossion’s rise say former KNUT trade unionist Francis Ng’ang’a nurtured and kept him close.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
