By Hope Barbra
Kisumu National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely after students went on demonstrations over alleged corruption at the institution.
In a notice, the Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye said the Interim Council of the institution held a meeting on Friday, 19th September 2025, and resolved to close the institution with immediate effect following disruptions.
“That demonstrations and boycotting of classes by trainees since Monday, 15th September 2025, preceded by various allegations against the Management by the Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association (KINAPOSA),” read the circular.
The student union claimed fraud, theft, and corruption were being abetted at the institution by the Chief Principal and the Finance Manager in collusion with the ICT staff.
“Our fears are informed by the following pertinent concerns, that despite the Cabinet Secretary approving the fee for modularized CBET curriculum as per the letter dated 18th August 2025, the principal has willfully and unlawfully decided to increase fees on the same and other various categories of students abnormally.
Modularized CBET students approved at Ksh. 35,000 per module are paying Ksh. 40,000 to Ksh. 42,000 (Exhibit 1, 2).
KNEC curriculum students approved at Ksh. 67,000 are paying Ksh. 87,000 to Ksh. 89,000 (Exhibit 3).
TVET CDACC students approved at Ksh. 70,092 are paying Ksh. 87,000 (Exhibit 4).
First-year students invoiced at Ksh. 70,000 are paying Ksh. 143,178 (Exhibit 5).
That the Principal has continued to charge Electrical Department Telecommunications Level Six (6) students Ksh. 500 annually for School IDs, despite IDs not expiring.
That the Principal has maliciously converted the School Ladies’ Hostel into a Guest House and is collecting revenue from outsiders.
Subsequently, the Principal has denied the Students Union the right to run the school mace and is running it personally for profit.
That the Principal has paralyzed Kisumu National Student Union operations by denying the budgeted union funds of Ksh. 15 million, yet students are forced to subscribe Ksh. 1,500 and Ksh. 900 annually.”
That upon raising concerns, the ICT Department tampers with the student portal to cover up fee increments.
“Administration has been harassing and intimidating students using the police whenever concerns are raised,” wrote Chairperson Adem Silas.
They also questioned whether it was standard procedure for a Principal to engage in business within the school.
“We therefore request urgent intervention for thorough investigations and audits. We hereby call for the stepping aside of the Principal and staff involved,” he wrote.
They resolved that, to ensure rights are not violated, the students opted to boycott classes and participate in demos.
The Principal asked the students to maintain peace and stay away from the Polytechnic premises pending further communication on the dates when classes will resume.
“The Council affirms that the inconvenient circumstances are highly regrettable and wishes to assure all the affected trainees, parents, and guardians that the concerns raised will be investigated and addressed expeditiously with a view to resuming normalcy in the operations of the Polytechnic. All staff will report for duty unimpeded unless advised otherwise,” she wrote.
