- Residents of Nkabune have renewed protests demanding changes in the leadership of Nkabune Technical Training Institute.
- John Majau reports that protesters cite declining enrolment and unresolved management concerns as they demand the transfer of Principal Peninah Ngina Musili and her deputy.
- The dispute has divided stakeholders, with another group of students and parents previously defending the administration and describing the protests as politically motivated.
Residents of Nkabune once again held protests demanding the unconditional transfer of Principal Peninah Ngina Musili and her deputy, Stephen Kinyua.
The demonstrators cited declining student enrolment, deteriorating standards and questioned why the principal had remained at the institution despite reports that she had been transferred to another institution in the Igembe region.
They said since the principal took leadership of the college, it has been deteriorating and called for an amicable resolution to the standoff to enable learners to continue with their studies.
They also accused the administration of failing to address concerns they raised during an earlier demonstration.
Residents demand management changes
Denis Mwiti said the community was demanding a change of management to revive the institution and restore confidence among students, parents and businesses that depend on the college population.
“We are here because of the deplorable state of this institution. We were told the institute had more than 6,000 students, yet we found that the number was less than 1,000. We were promised that there would be major changes within one month, but nothing has happened,” Mwiti said.
He questioned why Musili had allegedly declined to take up her transfer to Igembe.
“Why did she refuse the transfer letter? We want a change of management so that this institution can regain its lost glory,” he said.
The residents said the declining number of students had affected businesses around the institution, with landlords, food vendors and other traders reporting reduced income.
Stephen Marocho said residents had initially given authorities time to intervene but were frustrated by what they described as repeated delays.
“We gave the DCC 60 days to handle this situation. Yesterday we went to the County Commissioner seeking intervention, and we were asked to maintain peace. But our issues remain unresolved,” Marocho said.
He also accused the administration of locking a field used by local youths for sporting activities.
“Why did she lock the field where our youths have been practising? We have been told she was transferred to Igembe but later obtained a letter allowing her to remain here. Yesterday we were again told to give 21 days. It will be 21 days, then another 21 days. Until when?” he asked.
Marocho warned that residents would stage prolonged demonstrations if the management was not changed.
“If she does not leave, we will demonstrate here for even three days. Until our issues are heard, we are not moving,” he said.
Resident Purity Kinyua, who described herself as a permanent resident of the area, also called for Government intervention, saying the institution’s management needed to be changed.
Earlier petition raised learning concerns
The latest protests come days after a similar demonstration in which residents, students and traders accused the administration of poor leadership, inadequate learning resources and declining enrolment.
A petition signed by community chairman Festus Ndunga and secretary Titus Mucheke cited lack of practical training materials, inadequate trainers in the automotive department and alleged mistreatment of Office Administration students.
The residents claimed six automotive trainers had been removed, leaving the department understaffed, while limited Wi-Fi services had contributed to some students transferring to other institutions.
They also linked the declining student population to reduced business activity in the neighbourhood.
Stakeholders divided over leadership
The protests have, however, exposed divisions among stakeholders, with another group of students and parents previously defending Musili and rejecting calls for her removal.
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The group described the protests as politically motivated and argued that the principal had undertaken reforms to improve management, service delivery and enrolment.
By John Majau
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