Seasoned leader from Class One to college

Felix Otieno, a civil engineering and student's leader at Eldoret National Polytechnic is perusing files at an office in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County. He has been holding the position of prefect since he joined Primary to college. December 16, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Starndard]

From 2008, when he was elected class prefect in Class One, Eldoret National Polytechnic student president Felix Omondi has been at the helm of elective positions in institutions of learning throughout his schooling.

When Omondi, 23, is not serving his colleagues at the polytechnic, he is in another role that showcases his organisational skills.

For the last 16 years, he has held a student leadership position in every institution he has attended, and has become one of the most experienced student leaders in the country.

His acquaintances say Omondi has earned both love and hate in equal measure among students and the management of the institutions he has attended.

Gifted with a unique style of calming storms, employing diplomacy, and communicating effectively with peers, Omondi has thrived in turbulent student politics from the young age of seven at Siaya Ng’ang’a Primary School.

He tells The Standard that he held the class prefect position from Class One to Class Six, and when he transitioned to Class Eight, he was elevated to the position of cabinet secretary for the environment due to his passion for conservation.

“I got my first leadership position in 2008 while in Class One. The school management then bestowed on me the cabinet position to be in charge of the environment, which I held until I completed Class Eight,” reminisces Omondi, who rose from a humble background.

His student leadership CV was further enriched in high school, where his colleagues nicknamed him “Honourable.”

Omondi states that when he joined Nambale Boys High School in Busia, he served as class prefect from Forms One to Two, then became dormitory prefect in Form Three.

“The school elevated me to serve as deputy prefect for academics before I was confirmed as the high school president in 2021,” Omondi reveals.

When he joined Eldoret National Polytechnic in 2022, he ran for the position of class representative for the first time and easily won it.

He attributed the win to his experience in student politics, adding that the unity among students had contributed to his success.

“I am dedicated to fighting for the welfare and interests of the comrades who voted for me as their preferred choice.

‘‘I want that by the time a comrade leaves our national institution, he or she will be self-reliant and have the ability to ascertain what they really want in society,” he asserted.

He added, “Student leadership has numerous challenges. I have to work for my colleagues and have learned to accomplish many of my goals by first calming the storms amidst agitation, engaging in diplomacy, and ensuring a win-win for the students.

“I am also building cohesion and harmony between learners and the college management to facilitate a smooth learning environment, free from academic disruptions that could easily be resolved without strikes and protests,” he says.

Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Charles Koech said Omondi had demonstrated a rare style of leadership, often engaging with the management and pursuing win-win outcomes.