(Photo courtesy of Google Play)
By Samuel Owino
The parliament on Thursday, 10 August, declared the process undertaken by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) null over illegalities.
The health committee of the national assembly led by Robert Pukose said that KUCCPS carrying out the placement process on behalf of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) was illegal.
“It is obvious that the process is null and void, there is a court order that clearly says placement of students should be done by the KMTC board, therefore, KUCCPS conducting the placement is illegal,” said Pukose.
Over 42,000 students who had applied for placement will now have to wait longer as they have to do the process a fresh. The Committee however advised that the students will not pay the fees paid to KUCCPS again. This also comes after an order to KUCCPS to transfer 84 million Kenya shillings summed from the application fees to KMTC.
“KUCCPS should surrender the money to KMTC. The 42,000 applicants who had applied to KUCCPS should not be made to pay again.” Said Pukose.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha on Thursday, tried to defend KUCCPS’ role suggesting that she was acting on an executive order. The ministry, however, could not provide evidence.
Legally, KMTC is allowed to do their own placements as a High Court in July, ruled in favour of two students who filed a suit barring KUCCPS from the role. The ruling has not been appealed since.