Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has stepped in to quell escalating tensions between students and the administration of Bandari Maritime Academy.
The CS’s intervention follows protests by the institution’s students on Monday, March 17, as they criticised the management over various issues, including a lack of capitation.
Speaking on Monday, hours after five students were arrested during the protests, Joho reiterated his commitment to addressing the maritime students' grievances and finding lasting solutions.
“For the government and its people, there cannot be a back and forth,” Joho said. “For us, it is to listen. This is not a rejoinder. I am looking forward to engaging them.”
Among the key concerns raised by the students was the lack of support in attaining a Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID), which is a crucial a globally required certification for maritime professionals. While acknowledging the delays, Joho vowed to resolve the issue with urgency.
He added: "I know for a fact that SID is a big issue, and we are addressing it expeditiously so we can conclude it, so our people can carry it because it is required globally," he said.
During the Monday protests, students also openly faulted the institution for allegedly charging school fees, even when students were in industrial attachment - something which Joho vowed to crack the whip on.
"On the attachment, I wonder who they paid that KSh10,000 to. It is in my interest to find out so we can deal with it, and we shall. If you find them in the streets, tell them I am looking for them," he said during the distribution of government relief food to needy families in Mombasa.
The CS's intervention came at a time when students from the maritime-specialized institution had vowed to protest every Monday until all their grievances were addressed.
During the protests, the students lamented about exorbitant fees, which they claimed did not reflect in the quality of learning at the institution. They argued that the college was struggling with an influx of students, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and forcing some lessons to be held in workshops.
Concerns were also raised about lecturers' conduct, with students complaining that some trainers only taught for 30 minutes before leaving, claiming they were only paid for that duration.
Moreover, students expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in academic ranking. Some alleged that after taking Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) and main exams, they were left in limbo about their academic performance and overall progress.
