TENP Retains Best Polytechnic Crown At National Music Festival After Dominating Drama Festivals
He said the achievement goes beyond a trophy, terming it a reflection of TENP’s philosophy of holistic training.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) has once again stamped its authority in the national creative arts scene after being crowned the Best National Polytechnic at the 2026 Kenya Music Festival that ended at Kibabii University in Bungoma County.
The win marks another chapter in what has been a remarkable year for the Eldoret-based institution, which only four months ago bagged 16 trophies at the Kenya National Drama Festival held in Nyeri County. Now, with the music title defended, TENP has cemented its reputation as a powerhouse in both academic and co-curricular excellence within the TVET sector.
The 2026 Kenya Music Festival drew participants from primary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges, TVETs and universities across all 47 counties. The institutions battled it out in diverse categories including African folk songs, choral verses, operatic solos, instrumental ensembles and modern compositions.
At the end of the week-long extravaganza, TENP emerged top among all national polytechnics, retaining the trophy it won last year.
Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech, who led the delegation to Bungoma, said the victory was a result of discipline, teamwork and deliberate investment in talent.
“We are extremely proud of our students and trainers. They worked tirelessly, they remained focused and they made sure we retained our position as the number one national polytechnic in the country,” Dr. Koech said.
Dr. Koech received the coveted trophy during the State Concert hosted at the State Lodge in Bungoma, a colourful gala presided over by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto, who also awarded outstanding performers.
He said the achievement goes beyond a trophy, terming it a reflection of TENP’s philosophy of holistic training.
“The achievement is a testament to the talent, dedication and commitment of the students and staff of the Eldoret National Polytechnic,” he noted. “At TENP we believe in producing an all-round graduate — one who is competent in class, skilled in the workshop and confident on stage.”
According to the principal, the polytechnic has intentionally strengthened its creative arts department, employing specialized trainers and equipping students with modern rehearsal spaces and instruments, a strategy that is paying off nationally.
The success has not gone unnoticed in Eldoret. Local residents, led by Benjamin Leting, lauded the institution for flying the flag of Uasin Gishu County high and for providing a model of transformative leadership in technical education.
“These achievements are because of the sound leadership of the institution led by Koech, who works well with learners, lecturers and the community around the institution,” Leting said.
He added that TENP’s consistent wins in national festivals have inspired many young people in the region to join TVETs, debunking the notion that technical colleges are only about engineering courses.
During the Kenya National Drama Festivals in Nyeri in April, TENP dominated with 16 major awards across categories such as stage plays, modern dance, spoken word and cultural creative dances, a feat that placed it among the best performing post-secondary institutions nationally.
“Our tutors and students have raised the name of the school and we are happy with this sterling performance,” Koech said, adding that the college will continue to support creative arts as a pathway to employment and self-reliance.
Founded as one of the pioneer technical institutes in the Rift Valley, Eldoret National Polytechnic continues to raise its national profile, balancing academic excellence with cultural and artistic prowess, and proving that TVET institutions can lead both in skills and in talent.
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