Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has assured Members of Parliament that his previous role as a teachers’ union official will not affect his independence if appointed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Sossion made the remarks on Thursday while appearing before MPs for vetting. He said his time at Knut involved advocating for teachers while also working with the TSC and government to secure resources and improve programmes benefiting educators. He highlighted his role in pushing for the employment of teachers on permanent and pensionable terms in 2011, saying his engagement with the National Treasury helped secure billions of shillings for teacher recruitment. Sossion also defended his past campaigns for improved teachers’ salaries, arguing that competitive pay is essential for attracting and retaining qualified and motivated educators. He told MPs that his responsibilities would change if appointed to the TSC, moving from union advocacy to policy implementation. Sossion pledged to respect and implement decisions made by the commission rather than becoming an internal disruptor. He further promised to protect the independence and interests of the TSC while maintaining constructive engagement with teachers, unions and other stakeholders in the education sector.