The Jeremiah Nyagah National Polytechnic (JNNP), the long serving Chief Principal Simon Kivutih, has been celebrated as he retire after an illustrious public service career that spanned for 35 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Speaking during a retirement celebration party held at his home in Kiritiri recently, Kivutih said that he joined the teaching profession on February 15, 1990, and moved through the ranks as a head teacher, principal, senior principal and chief principal in different institutions.
Kivutih, full of joy and satisfaction said that each era in the teaching career brought new challenges, but also new lessons which taught him humility and leadership skills.
The outgoing Principal added that his professional journey had taken him through institutions that moulded him as much as he moulded others.
He revealed that he started working as an untrained teacher at Kivaa Secondary School, a place that taught him humility and perseverance. He then moved to Kamama Boys Secondary School, and later to St. Mark’s Kigari Teachers Training College, where he first discovered the joy of mentoring those who would one day stand in front of their own classrooms.
“Each of the station that I have served had its own story. At Mbondoni Secondary School, I learned that leadership is not about position but about people. At Nyangwa Boys Secondary, I learned that discipline, when guided by empathy builds character. At JNNP where I served for over 14 years, I learned that education must evolve- that the hands which build are as noble as the minds that imagine,” he stated.
Kivutih observed that our education system may not be perfect, but is alive because of the thousands of teachers who wake up each morning to shape dreams and destinies of millions of learners.
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He thanked the Governing Council of JNNP for according him the cooperation and all the support that he needed during his stint as the Chief Principal. He wished the incoming Principal Silvano Muriithi Nyaga success as he embarks on the task of leading the institution.
Speaking during the same event, the Polytechnic’s Chairman of Governing Council, Dominic Muriuki hailed Kivutih for his transformative leadership that has seen the institution achieve major milestones over the past 14 years.
He said his service to the institution was guided by a distinct philosophy that separated him from the ordinary.
“We speak of leaders, but not of the endurance required. The Governing Council consistently commended the Principal for his deep and personal sacrifice that often led him to work overtime, including during holidays and weekends. He was always driven by almost superhuman commitment to improvement,” said Muriuki.
Muriuki noted that the true measure of Kivutih’s impact could only be quantified in the dramatic growth and elevated status of the Polytechnic.
Muriuki pointed out that the Principal’s most outstanding achievement was the growth of the student enrolment levels from a paltry 577 when he took over the reins of leadership to the current 4500.
He described the surge in student population as a profound statement of confidence in his leadership.
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“The Principal understood that structure underpins success. He leaves behind physical evidence of his tenacity. He drove the construction of multi-million multipurpose complex, which has single-handedly solved the critical space issues for the administration, the modern library and the ICT Centre,” he said.
He also hailed Kivutih for implementing a massive, modern sewer system that has been designed to cater for over 20, 000 students, adding that Kivutih ensured that the success of the Polytechnic was intimately tied to the prosperity of the local community.
“This cooperative spirit guided his external projects. We celebrate and honour him for successfully lobbying the tarmacking of the 2. 5 – kilometre – road from the main Embu- Kiritiri highway to the Polytechnic’s gate. This wasn’t just a campus improvement; it was a monumental gift to the entire Rwika community,” he said.
Muriuki revealed that the Principal anchored the Polytechnic as a community partner by constructing the massive 3 million – litre water dam adding that the utility currently provides a crucial resource not just for the campus, but for the surrounding agricultural community.
He further noted that Kivutih extended his leadership influence by successfully providing construction mentorship to nascent institutions like Runyenjes and Manyatta Technical and Vocational Colleges, adding that Kivutih also successfully acquired a 33- acre parcel of land next to the institution which is a masterstroke that guarantees availability of expansion space for future generations.
“The Principal has already laid the groundwork for us to become an economic hub by advancing the setting up of two agri-processing plants – one for mangoes and the other for honey. He is leaving us with a vision for commerce and job creation, not just education,” he said.
Muriuki wished Kivutih good health and peace of mind in his retirement.
The retirement party was attended by thousands of Embu and Kiritiri residents including trainees and trainers of JNNP as well as the Polytechnic’s Trustee, Hon. Norman Nyagah.
By Tindi Kuchio
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