The Kisumu National Polytechnic will reopen next week, nearly a month after it was closed following violent student protests that disrupted learning and led to clashes with police.
According to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Directorate, the reopening will be phased, beginning on Monday, October 27, with only students preparing for examinations allowed to resume classes.
Speaking on Friday after a consultative meeting with administrators and student leaders, TVET Directorate representative Maryan Hassan said the remaining students would be recalled gradually once stability is fully restored and all pending issues addressed.
“The reopening will be gradual. We want learning to resume in a controlled manner as investigations into the students’ grievances continue,” Hassan said.
The meeting, chaired by Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, reaffirmed the leadership of Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye, dispelling speculation about her removal — one of the key demands raised by protesting students.
Hassan also dismissed claims that the institution had increased fees, saying a review of financial records showed no adjustments to the approved fee structure.
“There has been no increment. The existing levies are sanctioned through government channels and apply across all national polytechnics, not just Kisumu,” she clarified.
Leparmorijo urged students to embrace dialogue and avoid confrontations, warning that vandalism during demonstrations amounts to a criminal act.
“The right to protest does not extend to destruction of property. We encourage peaceful engagement as the best way to resolve issues,” he said.
The polytechnic was closed indefinitely last month after several days of unrest, during which students blocked roads and clashed with police over alleged fee hikes. The administration dismissed those claims as “misguided and exaggerated.”
The incident adds to a series of student disruptions witnessed in higher learning institutions across the country, often attributed to communication breakdowns between students and management amid growing economic pressures.
With the partial reopening now confirmed, attention shifts to whether renewed dialogue will rebuild trust and restore calm at the institution without sparking new tensions.
