A storm is brewing inside Commonwealth College of Medical and Related Studies, a private institution with campuses in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Bungoma.
Behind the polished image of academic excellence lies a troubling environment that has left many staff members and students feeling frustrated, unheard, and increasingly hopeless.
The main cause of this unrest, according to multiple internal sources, is the leadership style of the college principal, who also doubles as the CEO.
Reports from employees paint a disturbing picture of an institution where decisions are made without consultation, feedback is dismissed, and any form of disagreement is viewed as defiance.
Staff members, speaking anonymously out of fear for their jobs, describe a workplace ruled by threats and fear. Many feel like their efforts are not recognized and that their job security depends entirely on the unpredictable moods of one person.
The absence of a proper grievance system has made matters worse, leaving employees with no safe space to raise concerns. Over time, some of the college’s most experienced trainers have walked away, choosing to preserve their mental health instead of staying in what they describe as a toxic work environment.
The effects of this management style are now being felt by the students. Learners have started noticing the shift in atmosphere and the instability in staffing, which has led some to seek transfer to other colleges nearby.
The feeling of uncertainty is spreading across the student body, and the once-promising learning environment is now seen by many as unstable.
These issues came to light after a message was sent to Cyprian Is Nyakundi, detailing the internal struggles at the institution.
The message read, “Hello Nyakundi. Kindly hide my identity. Thank you for always highlighting issues that affect our people, especially the marginalized. I work at Commonwealth College of Medical and Related Studies. It has its main branch here in Kisumu, and another campus in Nairobi and Bungoma. The issue here is the College Principal who doubles up as the CEO. This lady is very arrogant towards all her employees. She doesn’t listen to anyone, any advice, but instead she would address you with a lot of pride. In fact, she tends to work like Kasongo. All employees work with fear of being retrenched. She also issues threats of sacking without a formally agreed procedure. She has always lost good trainers who choose peace of mind over abuse and disrespect. There is growing tension also among the students and staff who question her character, that leads to other students looking for nearby colleges to continue with their studies. Kindly expose these issues so that she can be tamed and sanity of the institution can be brought back.”
This message sums up what many others at the college are afraid to say aloud. Unless the leadership at Commonwealth College takes quick and honest steps to address these concerns, the institution risks losing its best staff, the trust of its students, and its overall public image.
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