Expected changes as RVIST gets upgraded to National polytechnic

Rift Valley Institute for Science and Technology has been upgraded to a National Polytechnic and will be referred to as Rift Valley National Polytechnic. 

Speaking to the Chief Principal of the institution Sammy Chemoiwa he says that this has been a long process that has gone on for a better part of two years. 

"We applied to the Executive sometime back in 2023 and we got the approval in the same year. We finally got the legal notice this year and we have gradually been transiting to our new status over time," he says. 

He says that with the new upgrade, the school will be offering curriculums developed by Kenya Institute of Curriculum and Development (KICD) and additionally those offered by TVET Curriculum Development Certification Authority (CDCA), on top of the Polytechnic’s curriculum. 

"Our financial support will improve as we will now be getting funding from the National Treasury. We look forward to improving our infrastructure to cater for the expected increase in capacity," he says. 

The Chief Principal says they will also be transitioning the institution' s management from board of governors to a council. 

"We will launch a new strategic plan, our charter will also change slightly as we will review certain policies. Generally, our mandate will change " he says. 

Speaking to the Rift Valley National Polytechnic Secretary General Shadrack Muturi, he says the expected changes will be of benefit to the students. 

"We are very happy with the fact that they will now be offering higher national diploma which is the equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and additionally now that it is a national polytechnic we expect to have people from all walks of life coming and joining the Rift Valley National Polytechnic" he says.