The Kitale National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely following students’ unrest. Trouble started on Monday morning when students demonstrated for hours citing the mismanagement of the institution and they called for drastic measures to be taken. However, their calls were not heeded.
On Tuesday morning, the students again held demonstrations and they alleged the Principal Fanuel Onyango has hiked school fees from Kshs 2,500 to Kshs 3,500, misappropriation of the Institute’s property including the hiring of the school bus to outside activities, and also faulted the Principal’s inability to engage student leaders to solve some nagging issues, despite past appeals. They said the Principal normally hikes fees without consultations.
The students further blamed the Institute’s administration for admitting more students without considering the school’s infrastructure, claiming the high population means some students attend lectures under tents. They appealed to the Education CS, Trans Nzoia leaders and education stakeholders to come out and address the issues bedevilling the Institute. They said they’ll not let their rights be infringed. Attempts to reach the Kitale National Polytechnic Principal were futile as he didn’t talk to the press.
