KNUT Leadership Row Deepens as Oyuu Rejects Sossion Comeback Bid

KNUT Leadership Row Deepens as Oyuu Rejects Sossion Comeback Bid

A fierce leadership battle is unfolding within the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) as Secretary General Collins Oyuu has firmly rejected former union chief Wilson Sossion’s attempt to reclaim the top post ahead of the union’s Special Delegates Conference scheduled for April 3.

Speaking on Friday, March 20, Oyuu dismissed claims of uncertainty within the union’s leadership and warned that KNUT’s constitution would be strictly enforced for all aspirants.

“There is no confusion in the leadership of KNUT. The union is not a banana republic where every Tom, Dick and Harry comes from any quarter to contest any position,” Oyuu said, drawing a sharp response to Sossion’s comeback bid.

Constitution at the Centre of Dispute

Oyuu emphasised that all candidates must comply with the union’s governing rules as well as national labour laws, including the Labour Relations Act.

“We shall go by the constitution of the Kenya National Union of Teachers and the stipulated law on matters of labour,” he added.

His remarks directly challenge Sossion, who resigned as secretary general in 2021 but has since declared his intention to run again in the 2026 union elections.

Questions Over “Comeback”

The KNUT chief questioned the legitimacy of Sossion’s return, suggesting that the former leader no longer has standing within the organisation.

“If it is a comeback, you come back from where? Tell us where you were. And if you are there, you stay where you are,” Oyuu said.

He further argued that union membership is a fundamental requirement that could automatically disqualify Sossion.

“I will not deal with non-members of the Kenya National Union of Teachers… This is not their home,” he declared, stressing that only active members can seek leadership positions.

Court Ruling Offers Partial Relief

Sossion’s bid received renewed attention after the Court of Appeal of Kenya ruled on February 27, 2026, that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had acted unfairly when it terminated his employment as a teacher in 2018.

The judgment was widely interpreted as removing a major obstacle to his candidacy, since KNUT rules require national officials to have served as teachers for at least eight consecutive years.

However, TSC Legal Director Cavin Anyuor clarified that the ruling did not automatically restore Sossion to the teachers’ register.

“There’s no court order saying he should be re-registered… To be registered after de-registration, one must apply within eighteen months,” Anyuor said, noting that Sossion has not reapplied.

Background to De-registration

Sossion was removed from the teachers’ register in 2019 after opposing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), with TSC accusing him of inciting educators to boycott training sessions. He later entered politics after being nominated to the National Assembly by the Orange Democratic Movement, serving as a Member of Parliament until 2022.

Despite his removal from active teaching, Sossion has insisted he remains eligible to contest, citing constitutional provisions on labour rights.

In a formal notification letter addressed to Oyuu, he invoked legal protections guaranteeing the right to participate in trade union activities.

“Pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya… I hereby formally notify you of my interest in contesting for the position of secretary-general,” the letter stated.

Oyuu Dismisses Notification

Oyuu, however, said he had not received any official communication and rejected the premise of the bid outright, signalling a hardline stance that could escalate the dispute.

Analysts warn that the confrontation may deepen divisions within KNUT, one of Kenya’s most influential labour unions representing thousands of teachers nationwide.

Countdown to Elections

Nominations for union positions are scheduled for April 2 at the Tom Mboya Labour College, with the Special Delegates Conference set for the following day. KNUT’s national elections must be concluded by June 30, 2026.

As rival camps mobilise supporters, the leadership contest is shaping up to be one of the most contentious in the union’s recent history—raising questions about governance, eligibility, and the future direction of the powerful teachers’ body.

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KNUT Leadership Row Deepens as Oyuu Rejects Sossion Comeback Bid