Kenya national Union of Teachers ( Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has claimed that Teachers Service Commission ( TSC) officers and some union officials are planning to rig him out in the impending union election.

“I was elected by teachers and I am here on merit. It is only the teachers who will remove me” Sossion told delegates at Banana Resort during his campaign trail on Monday, May 31.

He alleged that the Commission was planning to finance rivals within the union to remove him from office for his tough stance on union matters geared towards fighting for the rights and welfare of teachers.

The SG alleged he is aware of some union officials were given Ksh. 7 million, pocketed and was added Ksh. 5m from Kenya Union of post primary and tertiary education ( Kuppet) to fight him, stressing he was elected by teachers and are the only ones who can remove him.

Sossion, accompanied by Masaba Knut Executive Secretary, Albert Onkoba, chairman of Knut chairmen in Gusii, Joseph Atuti, Aspiring national Treasurer, Charles Obure and Nandi County Knut Secretary, Stephen Misoi said if elected, he will fight for payment of ksh. 32 billion Collective Bargaining Agreement ( CBA)recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission ( SRC) .

He lauded the resignation of Knut national Treasurer, John Matiang’I, saying he will be replaced by a person from Gusii community, adding that he will convene Annual Delegates Conference ( ADC) and announce the election date.

The SG appealed to the Commission to promote graduate teachers upon graduation, support continuous training for teachers and shun delocalizing teachers to far flung areas and instead delocalize them within their communities.

Sossion appealed to the Commission subject the framework of training to public participation for Kenyans to own it and urged the employers to employ more P1 teachers to cope with the increasing number of children under Competency Based Curriculum ( CBC).

“CBC requires three times the number of teachers. I urge the government to prepare and recruit more teachers to enhance quality education” Sossion said.

The trade Unionist warned the Commission against tampering with the recognition of teachers agreement, stressing the union will not accept to be weakened by the Commission.

Atuti challenged rivals to shun abusing others and instead focus on selling their policies for teachers to decide their fate during the election.

“Leadership is about service delivery. There is no need for competitors to engage in character assassination which adds no value to their campaigns” Atuti said.

Onkoba, who is vying for the national Assistant Treasurer’s post said he will mobilize teachers in the county to ensure that session is re-elected.