Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has vowed to root out corruption at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), promising to end the alleged loss of retired teachers’ files and delays in processing their pensions.
Mr Sossion, who declared a Sh65 million net worth, made the commitment on Thursday when he appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee for vetting as a nominee for appointment as a TSC commissioner.
The committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, also vetted TSC staffing director Antonina Lentoijoni, who declared a Sh38 million net worth.
The vetting of the nominees follows the lifting of conservatory orders that had been issued by the High Court in Kerugoya following petition filed by Kevin Wafula, who argued that the recruitment process had breached constitutional and legal requirements.
Mr Melly challenged Mr Sossion to explain how he would tackle cases of retirees waiting three years or more for their pension, including instances of disappearing retiree files that are used as a cash cow.
“I don’t think I am prepared to negotiate with corrupt individuals hiding and messing up with retiree teacher files,” he told MPs.
He pledged to devote his time and effort to fixing pension processing, noting that prompt payment of retirement benefits is a legal requirement.
Mr Sossion said the broader problem pointed to weaknesses in governance and efficiency, which he would prioritise if approved.
He also pledged to make teacher promotions fairer and merit-based by tackling corruption, nepotism and favouritism, which is within the commission’s existing strategic plan.
“The TSC has a strategic plan that is well negotiated and structured, so I won’t create new strategic priorities that will conflict with those. I will live within that spirit and commitment,” he said.
He defended his long trade union career, with MPs questioning whether his previous role as a union leader could compromise his independence as a commissioner.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera wondered whether he would be an “insider” of the unions when expected to help the TSC and government negotiate with teachers’ representatives.
Mr Sossion dismissed the concern, arguing that his union experience strengthened rather than undermined the employer.
He cited his 2011 advocacy for the employment of teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, including negotiations with the National Treasury for funding.
He said his efforts were aimed at strengthening the teaching service by ensuring teachers were adequately remunerated and motivated.
“From the trade union side I was advocating while from the employer's side I will be implementing policies that benefit the teachers of Kenya. I’m not going to be a disruptor,” he said.
Mr Sossion said both TSC and unions ultimately work for teachers' welfare, with unions playing an advocacy role.
He said his experience in advocacy and policy would add value to the commission, citing Ghana as an example where a former trade union secretary-general serves as chief executive secretary of the country's equivalent teachers' body.
“I will not betray the commission, neither am I going to betray the teachers of Kenya,” he said.
Ms Lentoijoni, who has spent 19 years at TSC after nine years as a classroom teacher, defended the teacher internship programme as a valuable intervention before it was halted following a court ruling.
She also identified the 2018 Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) as a major obstacle to resolving teacher stagnation, saying the framework is currently under review.
“The biggest impediment has been the CPG but thats being reviewed so that will be a thing of the past,” she said.
On teachers’ mental and psychosocial wellbeing, Ms Lentoijoni said TSC already runs a wellness programme but needs more funding to reach more teachers.
She also promised to push for a review of teacher workload, which she said was closely linked to staff wellbeing.
Ms Lentoijoni attributed persistent teacher shortages to rising enrolment, new schools and the introduction of additional learning areas under Competency-Based Education, including Junior Secondary School.
She said these pressures were compounded by limited funding, with the commission continuing to lobby Parliament for more resources.
On allegations of missing pension files, Ms Lentoijoni regretted the problem saying it could be a perception stemming from poor coordination among TSC directorates.
“The commission has 10 directorates, meaning a file could be in the Discipline, Staffing or Accounts directorate while officers in the Human Resource pension division are searching for it,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate and that’s why I’m saying we need to reform this particular process because files may be perceived to have been lost,” she said.
Ms Lentoijoni described her nomination as evidence that the Constitution gives Kenyans from different backgrounds an opportunity to serve the country.
