The Chief Principal of the Kisumu National Polytechnic Catherine Kelonye has been named the Outstanding National Polytechnics Chief Principal of the Year.
She received the award during the Jamhuri Kenya Leadership Awards for her transformational leadership and commitment to gender inclusion.
The judges called Mrs. Kelonye a true visionary—someone who gets results and has made a real difference in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Kenya. People trust her. She leads with integrity, accountability, inclusivity, and always aims for excellence.
Over the last five years, she has led major reforms at The Kisumu National Polytechnic. These changes have improved governance, strengthened academic quality, increased student access, and ensured the institution remains financially stable.
Under her leadership, the polytechnic aligned with the Polytechnic Order 2014 and maintained important international certifications including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022, and ISO 22301:2019. The institution also gained Qualification Awarding Institution status from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority.
Mrs. Kelonye led the development of 118 CBET training programs, which drove student enrollment up to 11,748. Over the past five years, the polytechnic graduated 10,344 students—2,103 of them in 2025 alone. Pass rates are up, and now students can manage their industrial attachments through new digital systems. With her strong grip on finances, the polytechnic expanded its infrastructure and upgraded ICT facilities. Partnerships with the World Bank, Colleges and Institutes Canada, GIZ, and SIFA brought in over KSh 2 billion in support.
She also established the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) and successfully led the World Bank-funded Eastern Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP). This positioned the polytechnic as a Regional Flagship TVET Institute for Textile Technology.
Mrs. Kelonye has also focused on staff welfare and development. She introduced WIBA insurance, AAR medical cover, pension schemes, and supported staff unionization.
A strong champion of gender equality and inclusion, she has promoted programs supporting youth, persons with disabilities, and student safety. She also established a daycare center that serves more than 25 children daily, helping trainee parents continue their studies.
Her leadership has helped position The Kisumu National Polytechnic as a progressive and accountable TVET institution. Her sound financial management also earned the institution an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Mrs. Kelonye’s leadership has earned the institution several recognitions, including the Principal of the Year Award at the Uongozi Career Awards (2023), Gold Winner at the KE Online Digitally Fit Awards (2024), Best TVET in Equitable Allocation of Opportunities and Resources – DIAR Awards (2025), Gender Mainstreaming Award by YAWK (2025), Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion Awards (2025), and TVET Champion of Female Inclusion in Dual Training by GIZ (2026).
Speaking after receiving the award, Mrs. Kelonye expressed her gratitude and promised to continue mentoring students and upcoming tutors in the TVET sector.
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