How private universities shared 12,000 government sponsored students

Some 12,096 government-sponsored students have been selected to join private universities this month. This is 2,000 students more than the initial 10,000 promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

This brings to 86,484 the total number of students selected to join public and private universities under government sponsorship.

The government will pay fees for all the students selected, on a similar rate with those in public universities – Sh70,000 per student. Students will only be required to top up Sh16,000 per academic year.

Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) Chief Executive Officer John Muraguri said the students should report to their stations.

“Admissions shall now depend on individual universities. But all students must be in class this September,” he said.

Data released by KUCCPS shows the private institutions had declared to absorb 27,192 students. A total of 29 private universities opened up their programmes for students to apply.

According to the placement list, the Thika-based Mount Kenya University has been allocated 1,580 students, being the highest allocation.

Of these, 967 were male students and 613 females. Details also show that MKU attracted the most number of students during applications.

A statement from MKU attributed the increasing desire by students to join the institution to a number of reforms undertaken to enhance quality.

“The university has scaled down part time lecturers and retained them as full time staff, it has reduced the expansion plans, merged some campuses and completely done away with some. MKU also attracted the most research grants,” reads the statement.

The Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) scooped the second highest number of students, with some 1,182 placed to pursue various programmes.

Of these, 687 are female students and 495 males. The Presbyterian University of East Africa has been allocated 853 students, while Kenya Methodist University got 701.

KUCCPS also allocated students to Pioneer International University and 635 to Zetech University.

Tangaza University College received the lowest allocation of 20 students.

The list was arrived at after the KUCCPS reduced the cut off grade by two points.

This means the cut-off point for male students was lowered from 60 to 58, while that for female students now stands at 56, down from 58.

Other universities allocated students are Africa Nazarene (333), Africa International University (100), University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (570), Daystar University (227), Great Lakes University (260), Gretsa University (484), International College Leadership University (111) and Kabarak University (565).

Others are KCA University (405), Kenya Highlands Evangelical University (533), Kiriri Womens University of Science and Technology, (176), Lukenya University (310), Marist International University College (151), the Management University of Africa (374) and Pan Africa Christian University (318).

The universities welcomed the initiative.