- Dr John Wycliffe Odhiambo Okumu officially took over as Chief Principal of Kisumu National Polytechnic, succeeding Catherine Kelonye, who retired after years of service.
- Dr Okumu pledged to build on his predecessor’s foundation, working with the Governing Council, State Department for TVET, staff and trainees to strengthen TKNP’s position as a premier TVET institution.
- Kelonye expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their support, while the institution lauded her exemplary leadership and contributions to infrastructure, academic excellence and institutional growth.
The Kisumu National Polytechnic (TKNP) has a new Chief Principal after Dr John Wycliffe Odhiambo Okumu officially assumed office during a colourful handover ceremony held at the institution.
The event marked the end of the tenure of outgoing Chief Principal, Catherine Kelonye Kayesi, who proceeds on retirement after years of service that saw the polytechnic grow in infrastructure, academic performance and overall institutional standing.
Dr Okumu joins TKNP from Kaimosi Friends National Polytechnic, where he previously served. His appointment signals a leadership transition that the institution has described as seamless, with both outgoing and incoming principals expressing confidence in the polytechnic’s future direction.
Speaking after taking over, Dr Okumu thanked the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for entrusting him with the leadership of TKNP. He pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and to further strengthen the institution’s standing as one of the leading TVET institutions in Kenya.
“I will build on the remarkable foundation laid by Kelonye and take the institution to the next level. Through close collaboration with the Governing Council, the State Department for TVET, staff, trainees and stakeholders, we will continue strengthening TKNP’s position as a premier TVET institution in the country,” said Dr Okumu.
He said his priority would be working closely with the Governing Council, the State Department for TVET, staff, trainees and other stakeholders to sustain the institution’s growth trajectory.
In her farewell remarks, Kelonye expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Governing Council, Management Board, Academic Board, staff and all stakeholders for their support throughout her tenure at TKNP.
“I sincerely thank each one of you for the immense support you accorded me during my time at this great institution. I leave with my head held high, proud of the legacy we have built together in infrastructure development, academic excellence and institutional growth. I warmly welcome Dr John Wycliffe Odhiambo Okumu and wish him every success as he leads TKNP into the future,” she said.
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The institution also extended its gratitude to Kelonye for what it described as exemplary leadership, dedication and invaluable contribution to the growth and transformation of TKNP, wishing her good health, fulfilment and success in her retirement and future endeavours.
The handover ceremony was presided over by representatives from the State Department for TVET, including Director of Trainer Management Lawrence Guantai, Director of Human Resource Management Mosiori, and Under Secretary Priscilla Wanyere.
The event was also witnessed by Governing Council Chairperson Eng Judah Ochieng Abekah, Governing Council members Ruth Mounde and Ismail Noo, Nyanza Regional TVET Director Ms Audrey Monica, and other distinguished guests drawn from the institution’s stakeholders and partners.
With Dr Okumu now at the helm, attention turns to how the new leadership will steer TKNP’s strategic priorities, including its collaboration with the Governing Council and the State Department for TVET as the institution seeks to consolidate its position among Kenya’s premier technical training institutions.
By Benedict Aoya
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