The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has refuted claims of a system failure in its ongoing student placement process. In an official statement, the agency maintained that the application exercise is running smoothly and according to schedule.
Addressing the media during a monitoring visit to Nyamache Sub-county, KUCCPS representative Prof. John Oluoch dismissed concerns about low student turnout and alleged technical issues. He affirmed that the process is still active and will continue until April 30, 2025, targeting over 246,000 students eligible for placement into universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, teacher training colleges (TTCs), and other post-secondary institutions.
Prof. Oluoch explained that the KUCCPS portal was reopened on March 23, 2025, to accommodate students who either missed the initial application phase or the revision windows. He noted that the agency had strategically deployed staff countrywide to assist applicants and ensure that no eligible student is left behind.
Several students and parents interviewed praised the process, citing increased access to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) services, government scholarships, and university funding. They credited these improvements to the efforts of local education advocate Dr. Siringi, a professional well-regarded for championing education initiatives in the region.
Among those expressing satisfaction were Peter Nyaboga, a parent, and students Joash Machuka, Sheba Mogere, and Joyce Bosibori. They highlighted the streamlined nature of the application process and called on the government to introduce annual student induction programs to help ease the transition into tertiary education.
Despite the overall positive feedback, some students acknowledged facing early difficulties, including reports of unofficial payment demands from unscrupulous individuals and discouragement from applying. These concerns underscore the need for continued oversight and awareness campaigns to protect students from exploitation.
KUCCPS has reiterated its commitment to a fair and transparent placement process, encouraging all qualified students to apply before the deadline. As the application window progresses, the agency aims to ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities for all Kenyan learners.
