By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The Ministry of Education has revealed that over 43,000 students who qualified for university admission in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations did not apply for placement into degree programs.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba announced that, of the 244,563 candidates who attained the minimum university entry grade of C+ or higher, only 194,372 (80%) were placed into degree courses through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). This leaves 43,868 eligible candidates unplaced. Ogamba urged these students to seize ongoing admission opportunities at institutions like the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and the Open University of Kenya, emphasising that available slots should not go unutilized.
Speaking at a media briefing in Nairobi, Ogamba confirmed that the Ministry had completed the national placement exercise for the 2024 KCSE cohort, successfully placing 310,502 students in universities, technical institutes, and teacher training colleges. He described the process as technology-driven, phased, and free of technical issues. “This year’s placement occurred in two phases to ensure efficiency and timeliness.
The first phase targeted KMTC, National Polytechnics, and TVETs for the March and May intakes, while the second phase covered universities and teacher training colleges for the September intake,” Ogamba explained. The Ministry reported 986,137 available slots across universities, TVETs, and teacher training colleges, sufficient to accommodate the 2024 cohort and previous candidates. Of the 950,711 students who sat the 2024 KCSE exams, 706,148 qualified for TVET and other tertiary programs.
Ogamba attributed the increased capacity to government efforts to expand tertiary education access, including the establishment of new institutions such as Kabarak University College, Nyandarua University College, and additional KMTC campuses, including one in West Pokot. New teacher training colleges in Northern Kenya have also been introduced to promote equitable access.“
These expansions align with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, aimed at equipping young Kenyans with skills for key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, construction, and ICT,” Ogamba noted. A total of 93,207 students were placed in public TVET institutions across the March, May, and September intakes. At KMTC, demand exceeded supply, with 52,725 students applying for 34,040 available slots. Nursing programs were particularly competitive, attracting over 27,000 applications for fewer than 3,000 places.
Notably, 6,750 students with a C+ or higher, who could have pursued university degrees, opted for KMTC programs. Teacher training colleges also saw significant progress, with 20,786 applications received and 11,636 candidates placed, 10,800 in primary education diploma programs and 836 in secondary education programs. To enhance affordability, Ogamba announced that university tuition fees for courses like medicine, engineering, education, and nursing have been reduced by up to 40%. Students can access financial aid through the Higher Education Fund, with applications currently open. Parliament has allocated KSh 500 million in loans specifically for KMTC students, a move commended by the Ministry. Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Inyangala, encouraged students to apply and assured government support: “No student will be left behind due to financial constraints.
We are available to assist with any challenges.”The Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which determines financial aid eligibility, has been updated to include detailed household data such as income levels, farm size, past school fee records, and Hustler Fund applications. Students dissatisfied with their MTI assessment can appeal via the MTI portal, while those with greater financial means are encouraged to indicate so to ensure equitable resource distribution.
Of the degree applicants, 162,252 were placed in public universities, 17,873 in private universities, and 25,034 in alternative training routes, including KMTC (6,750) and teacher training colleges. Ogamba urged the 43,868 unplaced eligible students to apply immediately to institutions with open admissions.
“Let no opportunity go to waste. We must ensure every qualified student finds a place. I wish all placed students the best in their academic journey,” he concluded. The briefing was attended by the Principal Secretaries for Basic Education, the KUCCPS Board Chairperson and Members, and the KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer.
