A feud between Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion and Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i is simmering.
The feud has been fueled by a last minute decision by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) not to award an honorary degree- Doctorate in Labour Relations degree to COTU boss Francis Atwoli.
MMUST held its 12th graduation ceremony on Friday last week.
It was expected that the honorary degree would be conferred to Atwoli to recognize his role in Kenya’s labour movement.
With no explanation from the University on why it rescinded on its decision, Sossion cast aspersion on the Education CS saying he coerced the institution not to award the degree to Atwoli.
Sossion said Matiang’i ordered MMUST Senate to cancel the award.
“Documents are in the public domain indicating that the university followed due process in arriving at the decision to confer Mr Atwoli the degree,” said Sossion as quoted by Daily Nation.
This, added Sossion now a nominated ODM MP, was a breach of his [Matiang’i’s] job which should be to advocate for the independence of every institution of higher learning.
In a letter dated December 8, Sossion told the CS: “The decision taken by your office (constitutes) outright interference (with) the management of institutions of higher learning.”
“It is really disturbing for the Ministry of Education, which is charged with the responsibility of protecting educational institutions’ (right) to operate independently, to interfere with the day-to-day running of universities.
“I post my disappointment at the move taken by (CS Matiang’i) to cancel the scheduled conferment of the award to Mr Atwoli. In the same breath, I join other Kenyans…to demand…that Mr Atwoli be honoured as approved by the university council and senate come December 15.”
Atwoli in response to the matter said he is disappointed since he expected to get the award from MMUST.
“The university senate decided to pick me for the award. I was excited when I received the communication but the university has been forced to cancel the plan,” he said.
The CS could not be reached for comment on the matter.