Students at the University of Nairobi. Photo University of Nairobi

The KCSE 2020 candidates will on Monday know the universities they will join and the courses. 

A total of 747,161 sat the exam, with 143,140 candidates making the cut-off mark of C+ (plus) and above.

They are eligible for government sponsorship across 500-degree programs in public and private universities.

The number is an increase from 2019 where 125,746 students qualified for university places.

Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service chief executive on Friday said the details would be made public by Education CS George Magoha.

In the last admission exercise, public universities absorbed 108,378 candidates who sat the 2019 exams.

Private universities admitted 17,368 state-funded students.

Mount Kenya University lead the pack with 4,400 students admitted, Kabarak University came second getting a high enrolment with 2,327 students.

Kenya Methodist University 2,268, Catholic University of Eastern Africa 2,091, and KCA University close the top five list with 2,062 students.

Overall, JKUAT admitted,  the majority, 6,006, followed by UoN with 5,894, Maseno 5,716, Kenyatta 5,659, Kisii 5,566, Mount Kenya 4,400, Moi 4,948, MMUST 3,297 and Egerton 3,281.

KUCCPS, in July, said they had completed the selection process for those who applied for placement to universities and colleges.

“We are keen on concluding the process and releasing the outcome to all applicants by mid-August,” Mercy Wahome, the KUCCPS chief executive said.

TVET Placement

In technical colleges, over 100,000 state-sponsored slots have been identified for placement for diploma and certificate courses.

This will be the third cohort of students sponsored by the government to pursue courses in mid-level colleges.

The students also get capitation and are entitled to student loans.

The placement comes at a unique time the sector is facing uncertainty over shutdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

In May, Education CS George Magoha asked universities to contact the new students, give them joining instructions and fast-track the start of their academic journey.

KUCCPS will place all those with C+ (plus) and above to universities to pursue degree courses.

Magoha said admission to universities will not be affected.

This means the students will join the respective institutions in September.

In the 2019 KCSE, 125,463 got a mean grade of C+ (plus) and above and were placed to university as government-sponsored students.

University of Nairobi, Jkuat, and Mount Kenya University were the biggest winners in terms of enrolment numbers.

Science vs Arts

Last year, Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics courses surpassed the arts in enrollment.

Some 66,661 candidates were absorbed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics courses.

While 56,570 students were admitted to art and humanity disciplines. - Lewis Nyaundi, The Star Edited by Kiilu Damaris