Trouble at National Polytechnic as stakeholders demand end of nepotism.

Major stakeholders have raised serious allegations of nepotism, tribalism and irregular procurement at the Kitale National Polytechnic with particular focus on the interferences of Council members that have upsurbed powers of the Institution's Management.

These accusations involve allegations of insider trading, where tenders are reportedly awarded to close relatives and associates related to a tribal Mafia now controlling hiring of employees.

Emeritus Kuppet Chairman of Trans Nzoia County Eliud Wafula while Speaking during an interview said residents of the Cosmo-politan County are in deep frustration, with reports indicating a, "rot," involving nepotism all through from the Council which has colluded with the procurement .

Mr. Wafula raised objection on issuance of tenders at the Institution which he said have in the recent past been given to a select inner circle, resulting in sub-standard services and goods. 

He raised " claims of collusion, adding that some board members whose contracts have been renewed should be investigated for abetting corruption , nepotism and favouritism at the Institution of high learning in the County.

He noted that a cartel revolving around a North Rift axis of powerbrokers that was working under Instructions from a Principal Secretary from the region had moved to bypass the Polytechnic 's Management and were running the institution as a private Property.

The Council which is led by Bishop Dr. Paul K Korir of the Anglican church of Kenya , Kapsabet comprising of Salina Cheruiyot, Harrison Tanga Webbo, Isaac Mudogo Shaviya, Jane Auru Ajele and Dr. Silas Odongo Were .

Efforts to reach the Reverend Dr. Korir remained futile as his phone went unanswered.

Human Rights Activist Job Bwonya said nepotism and tribalism in employment and promotions had become"tribal, only favouring employees from the Kalenjin community; a matter he said was suicidal and must be stopped.

He asked the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education to move with speed and crack down on the irregular procurement hiring of staff and get any board member involved to face disciplinary action including revocation of the appointment.

An old student of Kitale National Polytechnic, Peter Wesonga called for disciplinary action against a board member and the entire membership of the Human resource committee for conspiring to hire a candidate who had come number three in the interviews for the position of Procurement Officer Job group K , ignoring the candidate who emerged number one.

" The position of Procurement Officer Job group K was advertised attracting 31 applicants with only 3, a man from the Luhya Community and two ladies all from the Kalenjin community showing up for the interview", said Wesonga who demanded that the letter of appointment issued to the lady be revoked.

He said to date the Council had disregarded pleas to issue an appointment letter to the Candidate who emerged number one, threatening to move to the labor and employment court for intervention.

Mr. Wesonga said it was injurious to the progress of Kitale National Polytechnic should the Council continue usurping managerial issues.

" The Chairman of the Council, His grace Bishop Korir is a good man of God but some of his Council members are tribal jingoists with natural hatred for Luhyas ", he said.

He said should the Council continue interfering with the management of the National Polytechnic, residents will have no other option apart from petitioning the ministry for their removal.

He said the Council stood indicted literally hell bent to frustrate the National Polytechnic's management, something he termed ethnically uncalled for .

" The glory of my Alma mater is waning fast due to the constant interference in managerial matters from the Council", he said.

Human rights activist Job Bwonya highlighted that the Polytechnic's Board was entrenching "tribalism" and favoritism, and demanded for investigations into the dealings of both the procurement and human resource departments that had become a thorn in the flesh of stakeholders.

While raising human resource Integrity Concerns, the human rights defender said the pattern of Nepotism,Hiring and awarding of tenders to close associates of those working at the Accounts and Procurement departments was alarming.

He called for stiffer Penalties on those behind Irregular Procurement for Violating the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act by bypassing formal, transparent processes.

Area resident Timothy Simatwa said the Institution which is only one in Trans Nzoia County will not be allowed to rot in the hands of Council members who have no interest of the Institution at heart but to enrich themselves.

He petitioned Education CS Julius Ogamba Migosi to revoke appointments of all Board members apart from the Polytechnic's Board Secretary who is the Principal and institute action against them.

Contracts for Board Members of National Polytechnics ( Council Members) can be renewed, although they are typically subject to specific terms , performance, evaluations, and limitations set by the Ministry of Education and the State Corporations Advsing Committee.

Bwonya said the previous Board which was under Emeritus Kitale Catholic Bishop Anthony Maurice Crowley served with dignity unlike the Bishop Korir led team which he said was a total led down and a pale shadow of a Board worth to be emulated .

Efforts to reach Bishop Dr Korir remained futile after his phone went unanswered.

It is worth noting that while specific board members excluding the Principal are appointed for a set period, they are generally eligible for re- appointment for one additional term, subject to their performance and the discretion of the Cabinet Secretary.

Frank Wafula, another stakeholder expressed discontent Over Nepotism and Unfair Hiring Practices and challenged the National Employment Authority to work in collaboration with Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission ( EACC) and take necessary action.

On supplies,he said time had come for all suppliers to be subjected to transparent quotations in a competitive way in order to have fair "supply and delivery of assorted items and also provide services under relevant tenders.

 " Awarding of tenders through backdoor will only result in the institution receiving inferior goods and services at exorbitant costs. We are simply asking EACC to investigate and punish the rot", he said.

Mr. Wafula asked the Public Investments Committee on Governance to urgently investigate the two departments of Procurement and Accounts that had caused a very big problem in Kitale national polytechnic where traders and locals were suffering on the hands of the procurement and accounting team drawn from one tribe .

He challenged Education Principal Secretary not to force the Council 

 on residents of Trans Nzoia who now want new appointments made .