A major sexual harassment scandal has erupted at Kisumu National Polytechnic after allegations surfaced that the institution’s Governing Council chairman made inappropriate advances toward the Chief Principal’s secretary during an official retreat in Naivasha.
The controversy has since triggered disciplinary action against the Principal’s official driver, who is accused of attempting to facilitate a private meeting between the chairman and the secretary during the retreat held in Nakuru County between April 19 and 24, 2026.
Laetitia Opiyo, the secretary to Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye, recorded a formal statement accusing the council chairman of allegedly coercing her into sexual activities while staff and council members attended the retreat.
According to the complaint, copies of which were reportedly forwarded to the Federation of Women Lawyers and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the chairman allegedly sent the Principal’s official driver, Peter Ochieng, to persuade her to meet him privately.
“I declined the chairman’s advances and also refused to accompany the driver to the room where the chairman was staying,” Opiyo stated in her complaint.
She further alleged that the driver became hostile after she rejected the request and later sent her abusive messages.
“The driver insulted me and said I had ruined an opportunity that would have benefited both of us after I refused to meet the chairman,” she claimed.
The allegations reportedly prompted immediate intervention from Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye, who initiated disciplinary proceedings against the driver.
In an interdiction letter seen by the media, Ochieng was accused of inappropriate conduct, intimidation, threats, sexual harassment and insulting the complainant while on official duty during the retreat.
“The complaint was formally lodged with the Gender Mainstreaming Focal Person’s office, and the conduct complained of has brought disrepute to the institution,” part of the interdiction letter reads.
The institution further directed the driver to explain within 14 days why disciplinary action, including dismissal for gross misconduct, should not be taken against him.
Sources familiar with the matter said Ochieng later apologized to the administration over the incident, although investigations remain ongoing.
The scandal has now sparked public outrage, with education stakeholders and human rights defenders demanding an independent probe into the allegations facing the Governing Council chairman.
“This matter should not end with the interdiction of the driver alone. The allegations against the Governing Council chairman must also be investigated independently and action taken if he is found culpable,” said a stakeholder familiar with the matter.
Pressure is now mounting on the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training as well as the Ministry of Education to intervene and take disciplinary action against the Governing Council chairman.
Stakeholders argue that the chairman, who reportedly assumed office barely four months ago, must be held accountable if the allegations are proven, in order to safeguard the integrity of the institution and protect staff from workplace harassment.
The matter remains under investigation as calls intensify for swift action from education authorities over the growing controversy.
