Stop political interference in National Polytechnic running, professionals tell politicians

Education professionals and stakeholders in Trans Nzoia County on Friday warned local members of the County, Senate and National Assemblies to halt political interference in the management of Kitale National Polytechnic.

Addressing the media at the Kitale National Museum  , they said recent concerns highlight that political meddling, vested interests in tenders , nepotistic appointments, and targeted intimidation are derailing the operations of the only National Polytechnics  in the region.

Trans Nzoia County Kenya National Chamber of Commerce  Chairman Titus Kilong’i   cited intense political rivalry and interference as the primary obstacles to turning the National Polytechnic into the county's first public university.

‘’Bouts of political maneuvering and resistance from local leaders have consistently derailed development efforts for the proposed higher learning institution. It was wrong for a politician hijacking the Egerton university team that was coming to meet the governor for negotiations that would have led to the establishment of the higher institution of learning’’, he said.

He  said Governor George Natembeya's plans  to partner with Nigeria's Bells University of Technology have faced severe resistance and delays from the same politicians in the ruling Coalition, leaving students in the county with limited options.

He noted that earlier efforts for institutions like Kibabii University to open a campus within the county were also blocked by the Sky team  gravitating around the President's UDA Political outfit.

Kitale National Polytechnic Students Abigail Murunga, George Ocharo , Peter Wasilwa and Musombi Maratani hit out at the politicians who had sponsored recent disruptions at the Institution to protect their selfish and personal interests at the expense of the Institution's progress.

They said land grabbing and encouragement, conflict of interests in procurement, Alumni intimidation, ethnic profiling and political interfearance in student affairs had been engineered by the same leaders .

"The local leaders have no track record of sponsoring or supporting development projects. Their involvement has been strictly limited to meddling in students leadership elections, What a big shame '', Maratani said.

Miss Murunga hailed the National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr Tom Mulati for demonstrating exemplary leadership that has for the short time since posting delivered tangible development.

" The management's only mistake in the eyes of its detractors has been its firm refusal to compromise with cartels that previously held the former school administration hostage '', Miss Murunga said.

Ocharo said the Kitale National Polytechnic community refuses to be intimidated by the political actors and their self- serving cartels.

" We stand firmly behind the management and its administration and remain committed to protecting the integrity, peace, and academic excellence of the Institution'', said Ocharo.

He called upon the Ministry of Education and various security agencies to investigate the heinous acts of impunity and sabotage and ensure the safety of the students and staff of the Institution.