Mounting discontent is brewing within Kabete National Polytechnic, where students are raising the alarm over what they describe as a troubling convergence of ethnic favouritism, electoral irregularities, and administrative impunity.
At the heart of the unrest are claims that senior leadership positions, both at the administrative and departmental levels, are overwhelmingly occupied by individuals from a single ethnic background.
This concentration of power, learners argue, has fostered exclusion, compromised fairness, and embedded a culture of silent discrimination within the institution.
Frustration has deepened following contested student elections, with reports of disqualifications shrouded in unclear criteria, suspected vote tampering, and preferential treatment for candidates perceived to be aligned with those in authority.
Some students allege that academic privileges and disciplinary decisions are no longer based on merit, but rather influenced by affiliation and perceived loyalty.
Accusations of harassment and intimidation toward those who voice dissent have also surfaced, pointing to an environment where transparency is eroding and student representation is under siege.
What emerges is a portrait of an institution at odds with its mandate, where growing mistrust between students and the administration threatens to fracture the cohesion and integrity expected of a national centre of learning.
“Hi Nyakundi. We are calling on the Ministry of Education and all relevant authorities to step in and investigate what is happening at Kabete National Polytechnic. Kabete National Polytechnic is slowly becoming what many students fear, an ethnic institution. What is being seen is a worrying trend where most top positions are held by individuals from one ethnic group. The Principal, both Deputy Principals, officials in the registry, and even the Dean are all Kikuyus. It doesn’t stop there. Nearly three quarters of the Heads of Departments are also from the same community. Every time a new vacancy arises, the pattern repeats itself, the person brought in is almost always a Kikuyu. This kind of imbalance is not just troubling, it’s dangerous. It goes against the values of diversity, fairness, and national unity that institutions like Kabete are supposed to stand for. A school meant to represent all Kenyans is gradually becoming a place where other communities feel sidelined or excluded. The problem has now extended to student leadership. The recent student elections, which were already marred by irregularities, had to be cancelled due to rising tension among students. Now, there’s growing fear that the administration is pushing to install a particular student as Chairperson, someone who, despite having failed to meet the minimum academic requirements, is still being allowed to contest. Out of four units he sat for, he failed three, including Communication Skills, and was marked “Not Yet Competent”. It’s hard to imagine how someone struggling academically can be entrusted with leading the entire student body. But it’s not just about academics. It feels like the administration is intentionally keeping this candidate in the race to block another contender, simply because the opponent is a Luo. Rules and qualifications that are enforced strictly on others seem to be conveniently ignored when it comes to this particular candidate. This double standard sends a very painful message, that your tribe matters more than your ability. We are not against anyone because of their background. All we are asking for is fairness. Students want to be led by individuals who are competent, elected freely, and meet all the qualifications, not those imposed on them through manipulation and favoritism. If left unchecked, this path we are on could divide students and destroy the trust and unity that every learning institution should promote.”
