By KPC Reporter
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened applications for courses at Kenya Utalii College.
This is to allow Form Four leavers to apply for the institution’s tourism and hospitality programmes through the national placement system for the first time.
In a statement, KUCCPS announced that its online application portal is now open for 13 diploma and certificate courses offered at the college.
The application window will run until April 1, 2026.
The opportunity is open to students who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination as well as candidates from previous years.
Available diploma programmes include Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Front Office Operations, Food and Beverage Management, Housekeeping and Laundry Management, Travel and Tourism Management, and Tour Guiding and Administration.
Certificate courses include Front Office Operations, Pastry and Bakery, Housekeeping and Laundry Operations, Food and Beverage Service and Sales, Travel and Tour Operations, and Tour Guiding and Administration.
The development marks a major milestone for the hospitality training institution, which until recently admitted students directly.
By joining the KUCCPS placement system, the college is expected to enhance equitable, fair and efficient access to its globally recognised tourism and hospitality training programmes.
The move follows a partnership announced earlier this year between KUCCPS and the college aimed at expanding access to hospitality and tourism training opportunities.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome described the collaboration as a game changer, saying the placement system promotes fairness and merit in access to higher education.
“The placement system ensures equity in the process and enables institutions to attract students from all parts of Kenya,” she said.
Kenya Utalii College Principal Mark Rachuonyo Ogendi also welcomed the partnership, noting that it will broaden opportunities for young Kenyans seeking careers in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Established 47 years ago, Kenya Utalii College has trained more than 60,000 graduates from across the world who now serve in the local and international hospitality industry.
The college becomes the latest institution outside the Ministry of Education to adopt the centralized placement system, following more than 155 colleges under other ministries that have transitioned from direct admissions.
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the KUCCPS student portal on the agency’s website.
Those requiring assistance can visit KUCCPS offices in Nairobi, Kenya Utalii College, or any of the 58 Huduma Centres across the country.