By Fredrick Odiero
Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association has finally conducted elections which were recently postponed amidst protests which later led to the closure of the institution indefinitely.
The elections which were conducted online due to the Covid-19 pandemic saw Mr Sylvester Koyoo elected the Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association chairman.
Koyoo garners some 1063 votes against 437 secured by his sole challenger Mr Charles Mbaka.
Speaking to Education News Koyoo thanked the student fraternity for the honour bestowed upon him.
He promised to foster unity among students and the teaching fraternity.
Other office bearers are Modester Amondi Oketch-vice chairperson, Jonathan Agwanda – secretary general Bill Clinton Omondi – treasurer, Christine Mboya – academic affairs director, Sharon Atieno – gender representative, Iyanya Akaranga – socio and co-curriculum director and Clinton Saturday – persons with disability.
Earlier the students protested bitterly over the move to cancel the elections yet they had been allowed to campaign for the exercise
“The polytechnic is hereby closed with immediate effect for 14 days following the uncontainment of the situation witnessed today June 25, 2021,” read a memo.
The angry students protested bitterly after the Chief Principal Mrs Catherine Kayesi Kelonye announced that the elections could not proceed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A number of aspirants for positions of Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association protested bitterly over the move.
Koyoo said during the protest that the management wanted to favour a particular candidate whom it can work with.
Koyoo who led the students in camping at the administration block said Covid-19 was just an excuse.
He said lecture halls have been filled to the brim despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Police officers kept vigil at the institution for the better part of the day.
Earlier, some students complained that aspirants had been vetted and given the go-ahead to campaign only for the elections to be stopped.
Mrs Evans Onyango, a second year electrical engineering student said the Covid-19 issue is just but an excuse.
He said the management wanted Mbaka who has been acting as the association chairman.
“We will ensure that Koyoo carries the day” he said.
The students jammed the offices while chanting slogans.
The institution was later shut down for two weeks.
The Kisumu National Polytechnic was also closed last year indefinitely following student unrest over alleged fee increment and mismanagement.
