Bungoma National Polytechnic has announced a phased reopening plan after a closure prompted by student protests last week. In an official memo dated October 29, 2024, Chief Principal Dr. Godfrey Murunga outlined the dates for students’ return to the institution, following the Ministry’s approval to resume operations.
The memo specifies that CDACC candidates scheduled for November exams are expected to report back on Thursday, October 31, 2024, while KNEC candidates will return a week later on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The remaining students are set to resume their studies on Monday, January 6, 2025.
According to the memo, all returning students will be required to pay a penalty of Ksh 10,000 to cover damages caused during the unrest.
Dr. Murunga expressed optimism about restoring normalcy and emphasized the importance of student cooperation moving forward.
This closure stemmed from a protest sparked by the tragic death of a female student during a confrontation with security forces, who were dispersing demonstrators on campus. Students had initially gathered to demand accountability for the handling of issues they felt compromised the quality of education, as well as the resignation of certain board members. Although initially peaceful, the demonstration escalated, leading to property damage and heightened security concerns, which resulted in the immediate closure of the polytechnic.
The protests began as a peaceful march, with students gathering in the school’s administration building on Tuesday, October 8. They called for the resignation of several board members, including Chief Principal Dr. Rosebella Chukwu, whom they accused of failing to address issues that they believe compromised the standard of education at the polytechnic. The campus resounded with chants as students voiced their frustrations, intensifying throughout the day.
However, tensions escalated later that night when security forces intervened to disperse the protesters. In the ensuing clash, a female student suffered fatal injuries, leading to outrage among the student body. The peaceful protest quickly turned violent, with some students defacing school property and hurling rocks at security personnel in retaliation.