Teacher Service Commission commissioner nominee Wilson Sossion during his vetting by the National Assembly Education Committee at Parliament Buildings on August 20, 2026. /DOUGLAS OKIDDYFormer KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion has assured Parliament that his appointment to the Teachers Service Commission will strengthen the teacher-employer relationship rather than weaken its policy reform agenda.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education for vetting following his nomination by President William Ruto as a TSC commissioner, Sossion said his long-standing advocacy role as a trade unionist would not interfere with his new assignment if approved.
He said, if anything, the experience he brings on board will strengthen the commission, stating that TSC and trade unions in the education sector all work in the best interest of teachers.
"The trade union side are merely advocates, and they are an integral part of the teaching service."
Sossion told the committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, that a precedent had already been set in the Ministry of Health, where former KMPDU secretary general Dr Ouma Oluga now works as the Principal Secretary in the ministry.
"The country can attest that the health sector is on a very strong trajectory, so I would wish to say trade union leaders are also professionals with the necessary intellectual infrastructure and capacity to work at the policy level," he said.
Sossion served in the top national leadership of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) for nearly 14 years in total.
He served for three years as national chairman from 2011 to 2013 and nearly eight years as secretary general before resigning in June 2021 to join politics.
Prior to his national roles, he also served in regional branch leadership, starting in 2001 when he joined the union after leaving the classroom as a teacher.
During his tenure, Sossion was involved in several labour disputes with the TSC and opposed some government education policies, including delocalisation and performance appraisals.
He also advocated for teachers’ rights and called for strike action over issues including salaries, working conditions and other concerns affecting teachers.
Melly sought to know whether his long spell as an activist for teachers' rights against an entity he was now poised to become part of would impede his capacity to advance its policies.
"I wish to assure the country that my appointment to the commission will strengthen the commission because I bring experience of advocacy on policy and all matters that affect teachers. So I don't think it's anything to worry about, but it is an addition of value to the commission," Sossion said.
The former nominated MP said regionally, a precedent had also been set in Ghana, where the chief executive of the country's teacher employer is a former secretary general of a teachers' trade union.
"So I think it's a fact of strong progression and appreciation of trade union leaders as also resourceful workers who can do government work."
Sossion was nominated as a TSC commissioner alongside Antonina Lentoijoni, who also faced the vetting committee on Thursday.
