A wave of public outrage has erupted in Bungoma County following a ruling by the High Court allowing Ramagon Construction Company to auction assets belonging to Matili Technical Training Institute over a disputed debt.
On Thursday, Justice Rose Ougo dismissed an application to halt the auction, granting Ramagon the green light to seize and sell critical institutional property, including training tools, electronic devices, generators, and food supplies. This followed the expiry of an auctioneer’s proclamation notice on the same day.
The judgment triggered protests from students and local activists who gathered outside the institution on Friday, demanding government intervention. “We are here to stand with our institution. No property is going to be touched,” declared student activist Lumumba. Another student, Tom Masibo, emphasized, “We will not allow Ramagon to come and take our school. This school has helped us in many ways.”
Michael Chebukati, a driving school student, lamented the seizure of a vehicle used for practical lessons, saying, “We want it back because we are suffering.”
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had sought to stop the auction, arguing that Ramagon fraudulently pursued a debt that had already been cleared in 2017. Through their lawyer Ronald Kibet, the EACC accused the contractor of deceiving the court by concealing evidence and filing a civil suit based on a non-existent claim.
According to court records, Ramagon was awarded a Ksh.29.3 million tender in 2011 for the construction of a Twin Workshop Complex. This amount was later revised to Ksh.58.9 million. The firm received Ksh.49.9 million upon completion and handover in July 2013. The remaining Ksh.9 million was reportedly paid in instalments between 2016 and 2017, prior to the lawsuit.
Despite EACC’s revelations and calls for accountability, the court upheld the previous judgment awarding Ramagon Ksh.15.4 million, sparking fears for the future of over 10,000 students currently enrolled at Matili Institute.
The community now calls on the national government to intervene, fearing the auction could cripple one of the region’s key educational institutions.
