The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has officially announced plans to open its university and college placement portal in March, marking an important step in the transition of learners from secondary school to higher education institutions.
Speaking during an interview with Inooro TV on Monday, January 26, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome explained that the early opening of the portal is meant to give students enough time to prepare for admission into universities and colleges.
She noted that the transition to tertiary institutions usually begins around September, and proper planning is essential to avoid confusion later in the year.
Wahome stated that once the portal is officially opened, applicants will be provided with detailed guidance materials.
These resources will help students understand how the system works and assist them in making informed decisions when selecting courses and institutions that best match their qualifications and career goals.
According to the KUCCPS CEO, the placement service is currently reviewing the student capacity submissions made by universities and colleges across the country.
This process is meant to ensure that institutions only admit the number of students they can adequately support.
Wahome emphasized that this assessment is critical to making sure placements align with available facilities and teaching resources.
“There is a lot of work going on both on the university and college side as well as on our side,” Wahome said. “We want to make sure that when placements are announced, everything is clear and there is no confusion for students or parents.”
To ensure equal access to the placement process, Wahome revealed that KUCCPS has already established dedicated help desks at Huduma Centres nationwide.
These desks are staffed with trained personnel to assist students, particularly those living in areas with limited internet access.
She added that even in Huduma Centres without specific KUCCPS desks, nearby cyber cafés have been equipped with trained operators who understand how the placement system works.
Wahome further assured students that all candidates who sat for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will be accommodated. She stressed that the KUCCPS system is inclusive and offers opportunities to every learner based on their performance.
“In our system, there is nothing like failure,” she said. “We accommodate everyone, even students who scored an E.”
In addition, KUCCPS plans to use an upcoming career guidance conference to offer students and parents more information about higher education and career pathways. The three-day forum will run from January 27 to January 29, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The conference will bring together students, parents, universities, colleges, and other key stakeholders in the education sector.
KUCCPS noted that the exhibition will feature over 100 institutions, including public and private universities, TVET colleges, professional bodies, and private sector partners, giving learners a wide range of options to explore.
Meanwhile, official data shows that 993,000 candidates sat for the 2025 KCSE examination. Of these, 492,019 were boys, while 501,214 were girls, reflecting a fairly balanced gender representation.
According to the Ministry of Education, 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, making them eligible for direct entry into universities.
Additionally, 507,131 candidates scored C- and above, while 634,082 candidates achieved D+ and above, qualifying them for various diploma and certificate courses offered in colleges and TVET institutions.
KUCCPS has encouraged students and parents to actively engage in the placement process and take advantage of the support services available to ensure smooth and informed transitions into higher education.
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