Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has backed President William Ruto’s recent meeting with teachers at State House, stressing that the engagement was conducted within the official budget.
He argued that the State House allocation legitimately covers such forums and dismissed claims that the funds were drawn from education institutions or other ministries.
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Speaking during a televised interview on September 22, 2025, Sossion noted that the President has full authority to host delegations at State House. He emphasized that the meeting was not an isolated case, citing previous teacher engagements such as the 2022 Catholic University gathering where Ruto signed a teachers’ charter.
Sossion highlighted the necessity of such forums, stating that dialogue between educators and government strengthens policy formulation. He observed that facilitation for teacher participation is essential to ensure that their concerns are meaningfully addressed.
He further linked the meeting to global standards, referencing the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO guidelines that protect teachers’ rights to engage directly with governments. According to him, these frameworks validate such platforms as democratic spaces for discussing education matters.
Following the State House session, the Ministry of Education moved to operationalize the outcomes through consultations with teacher unions. On September 18, Principal Secretary Julius Bitok convened a forum with KNUT, KUPPET, KUSNET, KEPSHA, KESSHA, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to align reforms with teacher input.
The ministry outlined a roadmap to implement the President’s directives, ensuring that policies reflect classroom realities and educators’ welfare. Bitok assured unions that the process would remain teacher-centred and inclusive.
Support for the initiative has also come from government leaders and county officials. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga praised the administration for amplifying grassroots voices, while Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura framed the engagements as reflecting citizen priorities.
President Ruto reinforced this position, noting that State House is the people’s residence and must remain open to Kenyans. He affirmed his discretion to determine delegations but insisted that inclusivity would guide his leadership.
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