Kisumu Polytechnic is charting a path to becoming Kenya’s premier coeducational public polytechnic. Its educational programs, founded on research-intensive science and technology, enable students to succeed in growing 21st-century career fields.
As the name suggests, Kisumu Polytechnic is situated in the populous city of Kisumu along Technology Road, next to Kisumu Stadium. It began as a technical secondary school in the late 1960s. It was upgraded to a Technical Training Institute by the Ministry of Education in 1988, later becoming Kisumu National Polytechnic on June 21, 1997, before a name change to reflect the new status in 2014.
How many students does Kisumu Polytechnic have?
Currently, according to its head, Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye, Kisumu National Polytechnic is a vibrant institution with a total enrollment of ten thousand and forty-one (10,041) trainees, consisting of six thousand and eighty-eight (6,088) males and three thousand nine hundred and fifty three (3,953) females.
The number of students enrolled in Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) courses is 8,156, of which 2,962 are female and the remainder, 5,194 are male.
Mrs. Kelonye, a holder of a Masters in Education, has been the Chief Principal of Kisumu Polytechnic since 2020 after being transferred from Sigalagala, where she had served from 2010.
Joining Kisumu Polytechnic: Courses and fees
Kisumu National Polytechnic has research expertise in science and engineering technologies, with a determination to exceed expectations in other fields like agriculture, business, and hospitality as well.
It offers several Certificate, Diploma, and Higher National Diplomas, and as per their latest fee structure, it costs an average of Ksh67,189 to study any of its course offerings in 2024.
Kisumu Polytechnic courses are categorized based on the departments under them. For instance, you will find the Construction Plant Engineering course in the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and Mechatronic Technology in the Electrical and Electronic Department.
Analytical Chemistry, Food Processing Technology, and Science Laboratory Technology, among many others, in the Department of Applied Sciences and courses like Horticulture Technology in the Polytechnic’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Studies.
Here are all the courses offered at Kisumu Polytechnic, plus the qualifications you need to meet to get admitted. For clarification, In Kenya, the Level 4 educational level is an Artisan Certificate, Level 5 is a National Craft Certificate, and Level 6 is a Diploma.
Check out Kisumu Polytechnic courses and admission requirements for all college-bound students;
Electrical and Electronic Department
| No. | Kisumu Poly course name | Minimum admission requirements |
| 1. | Electrical Engineering (Power Option) Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) D+ in Maths and Physics |
| 2. | Telecommunication Engineering Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) D+ in Maths and Physics |
| 3. | Mechatronic Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) D+ in Maths and Physics |
| 4. | Electrical Operation (Power Option) Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Maths and Physics |
| 5. | Mechatronic Technology Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Maths and Physics |
| 6. | Electronics Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Maths and Physics |
| 7. | Electrical Security System Installation Technology Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Maths and Physics |
| 8. | Electrical Solar PV System Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Maths and Physics |
| 9. | Electrical Installation Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 10. | Electronics Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 11. | CCTV Technology Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 12. | Electrical Alarm Security System Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 13. | Electrical Installation Technology Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 14. | Electrical Solar PV Installation Technology Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering
| No. | Kisumu Poly course name | Minimum admission requirements |
| 15. | Mechanical Plant Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 16. | Mechanical Technology & Maintenance Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 17. | Automotive Engineering Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 18. | Construction Plant Engineering Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 19. | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 20. | Automotive Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 21. | Production Machine Operations and Maintenance Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Maths or Physics |
| 22. | Mechanical Plant Engineering Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 23. | Automotive Engineering Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 24. | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 25. | Industrial Plant Operations and Maintenance Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 26. | Welding and Fabrication Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 27. | Automotive Technician Level 4 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 28. | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 4 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 29. | Industrial Plant Operations and Maintenance Level 4 | KCSE Mean Grade D+, D Plain in Mathematics or Physics |
| 30. | Autobody Repair Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 31. | Engine Mechanics Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 32. | Driving school | 18 years and above |
Department of Applied Sciences
| No. | Kisumu Polytechnic courses; | Admission requirements |
| 33. | Food Processing Technology Level 4 | KCSE Mean Grade D- |
| 34. | Bridging Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Level 5 | KCSE |
| 35. | Science Laboratory Technology with Instrumentation Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D Plain |
| 36. | Science Laboratory Technology Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D Plain |
| 37. | Food Technology Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D Plain |
| 38. | Science Laboratory Technology with Instrumentation Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 39. | Food Processing Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 40. | Food Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 41. | Science Laboratory Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 42. | Applied Biology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 43. | Analytical Chemistry Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
Department of Building and Civil Engineering
| No. | Kisumu Poly course name | Minimum admission requirements |
| 44. | Plumbing Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 45. | Masonry Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 46. | Plumbing Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+(Plus) in Mathematics or Physics |
| 47. | Land Surveying Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D+(Plus) in Mathematics or Physics |
| 48. | Land Surveying Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Mathematics or Physics |
| 49. | Civil Engineering Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Mathematics or Physics |
| 50. | Architectural Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Mathematics or Physics |
| 51. | Building Technician Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus), D+ in Mathematics or Physics |
Department of Hospitality, Institutional Management, Fashion and Design
| No. | Kisumu Poly course name | Minimum admission requirements |
| 52. | Food and Beverage Sales Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 53. | Food and Beverage Production (Culinary Art) Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 54. | Housekeeping and Accommodation Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 55. | Fashion Design Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 56. | Tourism Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 57. | Events Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 58. | Fashion and Apparel Design Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 59. | Hair Dressing Operations Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 60. | Tannery and Leather Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 61. | Food and Beverage Sales & Service Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 62. | Food and Beverage Production (Culinary Art) Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 63. | Housekeeping and Accommodation Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 64. | Fashion Design Technology Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 65. | Tourism and Travel Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 66. | Tour Guide Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 67. | Events Decoration Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 68. | Fashion and Apparel Design Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 69. | Hair Dressing Operations Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 70. | Food and Beverage Sales & Service Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 71. | Food and Beverage Production (Culinary Art) Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 72. | Housekeeping and Accommodation Management Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 73. | Fashion Design Technology Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 74. | Fashion and Apparel Design Level 4 | KCSE or KCPE |
| 75. | Tie and Dye Processing | KCSE or KCPE, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) |
| 76. | Knitting Operations | KCSE or KCPE, RPL |
| 77. | Hand Screen Printing | KCSE or KCPE, RPL |
| 78. | Sewing Machine Maintenance | KCSE or KCPE, RPL |
| 79. | Embroidery Machine Operations | KCSE or KCPE, RPL |
| 80. | Freehand Garment Design, cutting, and Construction | KCSE or KCPE, RPL |
Kisumu Polytechnic Department of Business Studies
| No. | Courses offered | Minimum prior qualifications |
| 81. | Accountancy Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 82. | Business Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 83. | Human Resource Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 84. | Marketing Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 85. | Supply Chain Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 86. | Banking and Finance Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 87. | Cooperative Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 88. | Road Transport Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 89. | Project Management Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 90. | Office Administration Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 91. | Store Keeping Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- |
| 92. | Business Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 93. | Human Resource Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 94. | Marketing Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 95. | Supply Chain Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 96. | Office Administration Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 97. | Cooperative Management Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) |
| 98. | Office Assistance Level 4 | KCSE Mean Grade D-(Minus) |
| 99. | Accounting Technicians Diploma | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 100. | Certified Public Accountants Part 1 & II | KCSE Mean Grade C+, C+ in Maths & English OR Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) Final |
| 101. | Associate in Procurement & Supply | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) |
| 102. | Certified Procurement & Supply Professional | KCSE Mean Grade C+, C-in Maths & English OR APS Final |
Department of Agriculture and Environmental Studies
| No. | Kisumu Poly course name | Minimum admission requirements |
| 103. | Agricultural Extension Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (minus) |
| 104. | Environmental Science Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (minus) |
| 105. | Horticulture Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (minus) |
| 106. | Environmental Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (minus) |
| 107. | Animal Production Technology Level 6 | KCSE Mean Grade C- (minus) |
| 108. | Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Development Level 5 | KCSE Mean Grade D Plain |
To make your application to join Kisumu Polytechnic online, visit application.kisumupoly.ac.ke, create a new account, and select and submit the desired course you would like to pursue at the institution. The application fee is Ksh500.
To learn more about its admission procedure, call +254 723 446 773 or +254 742 809 415 or email info@kisumupoly.ac.ke.
