KISUMU POLY, Kenya, October 25th -Members of the community have lauded the students’ leadership at Kisumu National Polytechnic for giving dialogue a chance.
Led by the Chairman of the Kisumu Town Residents’ Voice, Mr Audi Ogada, and the National Chairman of the Bunge la Wanainchi, Mr Obungu Owichi, the committee commended the student leadership chairman, Mr Silas Adem, for pursuing dialogue instead of adopting a hard stance.
The community leaders similarly commended the County Commissioner, Mr Benson Leparmorijo, for his role in resolving the standoff.
On his part, Owichi said that it was the students who would suffer if the learning institution remained closed indefinitely.
“I urge the learners to use peaceful means while tabling their grievances,” he said.
Education Ministry officials announced during a stakeholders meeting that the learning institution would be opened in a phased manner beginning October 27th.
A TVET director, Maryan Hassan, made the communication during a public engagement. She said the rest of the students would be contacted later. The director stated that claims of fee hikes had been substantiated by the students.
“Other grievances would be tackled by other agencies as the rest are looked into. Mrs Catherine Kelonye remains the head of the institution,” she clarified, even though the students demanded her removal.
The students went on the rampage on September 17 and rioted for a week before they were eventually sent home after a council meeting.
The students who will report on October 27 are those sitting for their examinations
Earlier, Mr Leparmorijo assured that no student would be victimised.
