Wilson Sossion defends teachers who attended State House event
By David Nthua, September 17, 2025Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has defended a section of teachers who attended a State House meeting convened by President William Ruto last week.
Sossion, who spoke to a local TV station on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, vehemently poured cold water on claims that Ruto is using teachers and civil servant groups to regain lost political glory.
He stressed that teachers are not angels when it comes to politics, but that the recent gathering was policy-driven, not partisan.
“You must check facts. I have been in this space negotiating and fighting for teachers, and I have seen teachers rise economically, from using bicycles to driving cars to school because of improved salaries. Any improvement in terms of pay is a good thing,” Sossion said.
This comes after the KUPPET boss explained how the State House visit has unlocked the teachers’ employment puzzle.
He lauded the president for reviewing salaries in 2023, 2025, and even last Saturday.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba argued that issues such as CBAs, promotions, and housing should be addressed through Parliament rather than through presidential pledges.
He also highlighted the reduction in the duration of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) from four years to a shorter period, calling it a milestone not just for teachers but for all workers.
“That policy is going to work across the board. Any union worth being called a union representing workers should celebrate any slight achievement of that magnitude. It is phenomenal because it is going to benefit all workers, not only teachers,” Sossion explained.
Policy, not politics
Sossion emphasised that the meeting at State House was a high-level policy discussion codified within UNESCO provisions, granting teachers their political and democratic rights.
It is worth noting that MP Samuel Arama defended Ruto after he met with teachers at State House, despite criticism.
He argued that attending such policy engagements is part of professional duty and not an act of political alignment.
“The meeting that was conducted on Saturday was not political. Teachers have the right to participate in policy discussions that affect their profession. What they did was exercise their democratic rights within the law,” Sossion stated.
He further cautioned against framing teachers’ participation in public policy matters as partisan politics.
Sossion argued that teachers’ gains in salaries, improved working conditions, and the adjustments in the CBC should be recognised as victories for all Kenyans, not a tool for political manoeuvring.