As thousands of school leavers race to secure university and college placements, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service has opened a network of support centres across the country to assist students struggling with the process.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, KUCCPS said the centres would offer hands-on help to candidates facing technical glitches, uncertainty over course choices or difficulty accessing the online portal.
The move comes just days after applications opened for the 2026/2027 placement cycle, targeting candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations, as well as previous applicants seeking placement.
“This initiative is part of our efforts to ensure that all eligible candidates successfully submit their applications,” the placement body said.
The centres, hosted in universities and technical institutions nationwide, are meant to bring services closer to students, particularly those in rural areas where access to reliable internet can be uneven.
Among the universities offering support are Egerton University, Chuka University, Moi University and Maseno University. Others include Pwani University and Maasai Mara University.
Technical colleges have also been enlisted. These include Shamberere Technical Training Institute, Mawego National Polytechnic and Lunga Lunga Technical and Vocational College, among others.
At each location, KUCCPS has deployed officers to guide applicants step by step, from logging into the system to selecting courses that match their grades and interests.
For many students, the process can be daunting.
“I tried logging in several times but kept getting stuck,” said a candidate in Nakuru who asked not to be named. “Having someone explain it in person makes a big difference.”
Education experts say such support is essential in a system that increasingly relies on digital access.
“Online applications improve efficiency, but they can also exclude students without strong digital skills or internet access,” said an education consultant based in Nairobi. “Bringing services physically closer helps bridge that gap.”
KUCCPS said additional assistance would be available at Huduma Centres across the country and at its headquarters at ACK Garden House in Nairobi.
The application window for degree courses opened on April 7 and is limited to candidates who scored C+ and above. All applicants must submit their choices through the KUCCPS portal by May 6.
Officials have urged students not to wait until the final days.
“Candidates should take advantage of the support centres early to avoid last-minute challenges,” the agency said, adding that enquiries can also be made via its official phone lines and email.
While the expanded support network has been welcomed, some students say awareness remains a challenge, especially in remote areas. Others point to the pressure of making life-shaping decisions within a tight timeline.
For now, the centres offer a practical solution—one that could determine whether thousands of young Kenyans secure a place in higher education or miss out.