KUCCPS faces query over use of public funds for Private University placements
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance has launched a probe into alleged misuse of public funds within the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The committee’s inquiry follows findings in a Special Audit Report, raising questions about financial management and student placement policies.
On June 4, 2025, during a session at Bunge Towers chaired by Thuddeus Nzambia, MPs expressed concern over the decision to use public resources to place students in private universities, despite the availability of space in public universities.
Nzambia emphasized, “We must ask tough questions when taxpayers' money is used to support private universities while public ones remain underutilized.”
Members of Parliament pressed KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome to provide clarity on the student placement system’s transparency. They requested a comprehensive breakdown of student placements, capacity data from private institutions, and evidence of monitoring systems post-placement.
Wahome stated that KUCCPS had implemented a digital platform alongside policy guidelines for tracking enrollments, but the committee insisted on formal documentation.
The KICD was also scrutinized for financial irregularities, particularly regarding procurement and questionable expenses.
MPs highlighted the example of nearly one million French textbooks printed despite the language being offered in only a handful of schools.
MP Mumina challenged this, asking, “How do you justify such a glaring mismatch between supply and actual student needs?” She cited reports of textbook surpluses in some areas and shortages in others.
The committee urged stronger coordination between the State Department for Education and its related agencies and scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Education to discuss solutions.
The MPs also suggested reforms to the placement system to allow students greater choice in their course selection rather than being assigned courses by the placement authority.
