KUCCPS placement: Ogamba explains why nearly 9k university-eligible students chose TVET courses
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 8, 2026The growing preference for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions among Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates is reshaping the country’s higher education landscape, with thousands of students now choosing practical skills training over traditional university degree programmes.
Speaking during the release of the 2026 university placement results on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba noted that 8,915 students who attained the minimum university entry grade in the 2025 KCSE examination voluntarily opted for non-degree programmes in tertiary institutions during the 2026 placement exercise. The trend reflects increasing confidence in TVET education as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and specialised technical careers.
“This year, a total of 8,915 students who qualified for degree programmes in the 2025 KCSE examination opted for non-degree programmes in tertiary institutions and have also been placed,” Ogamba said.
The CS has noted that the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placed a total of 293,869 students into degree, diploma, certificate and artisan programmes across universities, TVET institutions and other tertiary colleges. Of these, 202,133 secured placement into degree programmes, while thousands enrolled in diploma, craft certificate and artisan courses.
Ogamba hails modularised TVET curriculum
The Cabinet Secretary said the government has continued to invest heavily in the TVET sector by aligning training with labour market demands. One of the key reforms has been the introduction of modularised curricula in eight TVET institutions, allowing learners to acquire skills through short, competency-based modules that can be completed within three to six months.
Ogamba explained that the modular approach enables trainees to enrol for specific skills that are immediately relevant to the job market before graduating with nationally recognised certifications.
“The curricula are offered through short, accessible, and certifiable competency units that can be implemented within three to six months. This has resulted in shorter durations for skilling designed to give trainees market-specific skills. Consequently, many trainees now walk into the nearest institutions for focused modules, after which they graduate,” he said.
He further said that the reforms are expected to make technical education more flexible and accessible, particularly for learners seeking employment within a shorter period or those wishing to upgrade their skills while working.
Beyond TVETs, the CS noted that the placement exercise also saw 28,246 students admitted to Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), 765 to Kenya Utalii College, 500 to the Diploma in Law (Paralegal Studies) programme at the Kenya School of Law and 875 to secondary teacher training colleges.
Ogamba acknowledged that some students who qualified for placement did not submit applications, noting that many may have pursued alternative pathways such as joining the disciplined forces, enrolling in overseas institutions or opting for self-sponsored university programmes.
Opportunity for late applicants
To ensure no eligible student misses an opportunity to pursue higher education, the Cabinet Secretary directed KUCCPS to immediately establish a mechanism for late applications.
“We recognise that some eligible students did not apply for placement because they may have opted to seek alternative pathways to higher education and training… Still, some of them may have missed the opportunity to apply because of other circumstances. To give a chance to such students, I have directed KUCCPS to immediately devise a mechanism to allow late applications for placement,” he said.
He urged all eligible candidates who failed to apply during the initial application window to take advantage of the planned late application exercise, reiterating the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education.
“Our clarion call is that no student should be left behind,” Ogamba added.