Government to pay for 12,000 students to study at private universities within Kenya

KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer John Muraguri

NAIROBI: A total of 12,096 government-sponsored students have now been selected to join private universities this month.

This is some 2,000 students more than the initial figure of 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 shall pay fees for all the students selected to these universities, on similar rate with those in public universities.–Sh 70,000 per student.

Students will only be required to top up Sh16, 000 per academic year.

KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer John Muraguri said students will report to their universities immediately.

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

Data released by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) shows the private institutions had declared to absorb 27, 192 students.

A total of 29 private universities opened up their programs to 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 tem 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 programs.

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 Pioneer International University and another 635 students to Zetech University.

Tangaza University College received the lowest allocation of only 20 students.

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

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

Other universities 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).

Riara University got 118, Scott Christian University (329), St Paul's (245), the East African University (446), Umma University (50) and United States International University (221).

The National Association of Private Universities in Kenya (Napuk) secretary general Vincent Gaitho yesterday said they support the initiative.

He said private universities have for the first time attracted quality grades students.

"We have been getting students based on ability to pay. But with the government funding, we shall get quality grades and this shall lead to healthy competition," he said.