Thursday, 10 April, 2025
MPs' hear challenges facing Kitale and Bungoma Polytechnics during oversight visit๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ณ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐
Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education have raised concerns over staffing, funding, and infrastructure gaps at Kitale National Polytechnic and Bungoma National Polytechnic during an inspection visit to the two institutions.
Led by Committee Chairperson, Hon. Julius Melly, the lawmakers engaged senior management in a detailed interrogation of institutional challenges, focusing on alignment with national TVET priorities, strategic direction, and financial sustainability.
At Kitale National Polytechnic, Chief Principal Dr. Tom Mulati informed MPs that the institution has enrolled 12,248 students in 2025, up from 11,951 in 2024, indicating steady growth. However, he cited funding constraints and rising competition from other TVET institutions as major challenges.
โWhile HELB support has cushioned many learners, the lack of government scholarships for some students is affecting enrolment and retention,โ said Dr. Mulati.
The Committee queried the institutionโs governance structure, strategic planning, and how it aligns with national development goals. Dr. Mulati responded that the Polytechnicโs 2023โ2028 strategic plan targets six priority areas, including quality training, inclusivity, research, and resource mobilization.
The Committee also sought clarity on staffing and recruitment challenges, to which the Chief Principal cited low salaries, inadequate government recruitment slots, and political interference.
โThereโs a shortage of qualified trainers, especially in professional fields like animal health and health sciences. Our working environment and remuneration are also not competitive,โ he added.
On land ownership, Dr. Mulati disclosed that the Polytechnic holds three parcels of land totaling 132 acres, but two are under encroachment, posing legal and operational hurdles. The Committee further heard that the institution faces stalled capital projects, including Sigor and Chepareria Technical Training Institutes.
At Bungoma National Polytechnic, Chief Principal Dr. Godfrey Murunga briefed the Committee on ongoing reforms, financial sustainability, and industry linkages. In response to a question by Hon. Melly on income generation, Dr. Murunga highlighted diverse ventures.
โWe run a dairy and poultry farm, a driving school, town campus, and water supply services. We also earn revenue from hiring vehicles and rental property,โ he stated.
The lawmakers examined how well the institution is embracing the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) model and addressing gaps in human capital.
Dr. Murunga admitted that staffing remains a key concern, particularly in emerging technical fields. โWe need more instructors with industry experience, but attracting and retaining them is difficult due to competition and remuneration disparities,โ he said.
MPs questioned the institution's governance capacity and readiness to implement TVET reforms, especially those tied to digital transformation and the BETA agenda.
The Committee committed to engaging the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies to streamline overlapping mandates and ensure funding for capital projects.
โOur visit is not just to point out weaknesses but to understand the gaps that require policy and legislative action,โ Hon. Melly remarked.