The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has announced that it will open its university and college placement portal in March, ahead of the transition of learners to tertiary institutions later in the year.
Speaking during an interview with Inooro TV on Monday, January 26, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said the move is a critical step in preparing students for admission into universities and colleges, a process that traditionally begins in September.
Wahome noted that once the portal goes live, applicants will be provided with detailed guidance materials to help them navigate the system and make informed choices on courses and institutions.
She explained that KUCCPS is currently reviewing the capacities submitted by universities and colleges to ensure that student placement aligns with the institutions’ ability to accommodate them.
“There is a lot of work going on both on the college and university side as well as on our side to ensure that when placement is announced, there is no confusion,” Wahome said.
To ensure inclusivity, Wahome said KUCCPS has established dedicated help desks at Huduma Centres across the country, staffed with trained personnel to support students, particularly those in areas with limited internet access.
She assured candidates that all students who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will be accommodated through the placement system, regardless of their performance.
“In our system, there is nothing like failure; we accommodate everyone, even those who got an E,” Wahome said.
According to KUCCPS, cyber operators at Huduma Centres have also been trained on how the system works to further support applicants during the application period.
The placement service will also use an upcoming career guidance conference to advise students and parents on higher education and career pathways.
The three-day forum will be held from January 27 to 29, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together students, parents, universities, colleges and other stakeholders in the education sector.
KUCCPS said the exhibition will feature more than 100 institutions, including public and private universities, TVET colleges, professional bodies and private sector partners.
A total of 993,000 candidates sat the 2025 KCSE examination, comprising 492,019 boys and 501,214 girls.
According to the Ministry of Education, 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying them for direct entry into university.
Further data shows that 507,131 candidates scored C- and above, while 634,082 attained a grade of D+ and above, making them eligible for various tertiary education pathways.
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