The Kisumu National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely after days of unrest that paralysed learning and left administrators scrambling for solutions.
In a notice issued Friday morning, Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye ordered all students to vacate the campus “until further notice.” The directive followed a meeting of the school’s council, which convened after five consecutive days of boycotts and demonstrations.
“Normal learning cannot continue under the prevailing circumstances,” Ms Kelonye said in the statement. “The decision to close the institution was reached to allow for investigations and a return to order.”
The protests began on Monday, with students refusing to attend classes and staging demonstrations within and outside the campus. Leaders of the student association accused the administration of mismanagement, citing allegations of corruption and rising fees.
By Thursday, tensions had escalated, prompting calls for government intervention. “We cannot sit back as our education is disrupted by unfair practices,” one student leader, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told local reporters.
Ms Kelonye acknowledged the grievances and promised that they would be addressed. “The concerns raised by the student body will be investigated thoroughly,” she said, adding that efforts would be made to restore calm and rebuild trust.
The closure is the latest in a string of disruptions at higher learning institutions across Kenya, where disputes over fees, governance, and living conditions have sparked protests. Education officials have often stressed dialogue, but many campuses continue to struggle with strained relations between administrators and students.
It remains unclear when Kisumu Polytechnic will reopen. For now, hundreds of students are heading home, their academic schedules left in limbo.
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