NAIROBI, Kenya – If you’re one of the thousands of 2024 KCSE candidates who scored a C+ or higher and still haven’t applied for university, KUCCPS has a simple message for you: Hurry up.
With just under two weeks left before the April 30 deadline, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service is sounding the alarm.
According to Ministry of Education officials, more than 100,000 qualified students have yet to log in and choose their preferred degree or diploma courses—a stat that’s raising eyebrows and, frankly, a few pulses at Jogoo House.
Speaking at a press briefing on April 17, KUCCPS Director for Placement and Career Development, John Oluoch, urged students not to wait until the final minute to jam the portal.
“We are nearly getting to half of the total number of students,” he said. “So we are urging those who have not been able to do so to apply. They should not wait for the last minute to struggle and access the portal.”
Let’s break that down. Out of 246,000 students who earned university entry grades, only 104,000 had successfully applied. That leaves a huge number at risk of missing out entirely—not because they didn’t qualify, but because they didn’t click “submit.”
Some had blamed technical glitches and alleged downtime, but KUCCPS says the portal’s working just fine.
In fact, to make sure no one’s left behind, officials have been deployed across the country to assist students and parents with the application process. From local barazas to school halls, KUCCPS teams are walking candidates through the process—step by step, screen by screen.
“This isn’t just about choosing a course,” Oluoch explained. “It’s about securing your future. And we’re here to make sure you do.”
The placement portal officially opened on March 28 and will close on April 30. That’s four weeks. One full month to make a life-changing decision. And now, with time running out, KUCCPS is turning up the volume—before doors start closing.
So here’s the takeaway: if you know someone who scored a C+ or above and hasn’t applied yet, nudge them. Or better yet, grab their phone and help them do it.
