The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has launched a new product to provide opportunities for students who did not apply for any university programmes in previous years.
While speaking at this year’s University Funding Model Sensitisation Forum at Uriri Senior School, organized by Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome disclosed that they have launched a new product in their system to allow students who did not apply for any university programme in the previous years to do so.
She said that within 24 hours after the launch of the new product on the KUCCPS platform, already 1,000 students had applied and downloaded their university placement letters.
The new product will allow students who did not apply for any programme to apply, then get a university placement letter that is generated on the spot, allowing students to proceed and apply for HELB and scholarship funds.
Wahome explained that on average 85 percent of students who qualified to join university have been applying for university programmes, with 15 percent failing to do so this year and in previous years.
According to Wahome, KUCCPS has been doing mapping for the remaining 15 percent since 2022, which led to the launch of the new product to allow students who previously did not join university due to unknown reasons to get another chance of placement.
The University Funding Model Sensitisation Forum at Uriri Senior School brought together about 2,200 Form Four leavers, class of 2025 and previous years from Uriri Sub County who received crucial information from KUCCPS and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) officials.
“We are targeting at least 3,000 students to register for the University Funding Model Sensitisation Forum in Uriri to help them get a good insight into what is required from the university funding system as well as offer guidance on university placement,” said Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.
The forum was also designed to provide parents and guardians with accurate information on university admission and government funding opportunities that their children will be exposed to.
Nyamita explained that the forum also aimed to demystify the myths about the new university funding model and give the right information to students on university programmes and funding to reduce mistakes that can lead to underfunding of needy students.
The Uriri legislator also affirmed that unlike previous years where Uriri Sub-County hosted the forum, this year’s programme will ensure that beneficiaries are distributed equitably across all Sub-Counties in Migori, broadening access to higher education funding opportunities.
Last year, approximately 800 applicants from Uriri Sub-County benefited from the initiative. The expanded approach is expected to increase access for students from across the county.
The high turnout underscores the growing demand for reliable information on university placement and financial aid as thousands of students prepare to transition to institutions of higher learning.
HELB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geoffrey Monari encouraged needy students to apply for the HELB and scholarship funds and ensure they provide all the necessary documents needed to receive the highest level of scholarship funds.
He, however, cautioned students who will be joining the university for the first time this coming August and September to utilise the funds prudently to ease their educational stay.
“The funds that you will get are not meant for betting and other negative vices, but rather for a comfortable stay as you pursue your education dreams and careers,” said Monari.
By Makokha Khaoya
