“Career Guidance Is Not About Telling Students What to Do, It Is About Equipping Them to Decide Wisely,” Says Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, During the KUCCPS Inaugural National Career Conference & Exhibition 2026.
For the first time since the establishment of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), career guidance has been elevated from an auxiliary function to a national conversation. Speaking at the inaugural KUCCPS National Career Conference and Exhibition held at the KICC from 26th to 29th January 2026, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, emphasized that the goal of career guidance is to empower students to decide wisely rather than simply being told what to do. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) joined other top-tier institutions to anchor this conversation. The well- attended conference and exhibitions provided a platform for students to receive expert guidance ahead of the 2026 placement cycle.
The Chief Guest, PS for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, interacts with the MMUST team at their exhibition booth. Accompanying her was a delegation of key education stakeholders.
Addressing participants during the official opening, Dr. Inyangala hailed the event as a national milestone.
“Career guidance is about transforming aspirations into strategy, ensuring that talent does not wander blindly but is channeled deliberately into sectors that build the economy from the bottom up,” she stated. She noted that how youths choose their paths determines the ‘economic destiny’ of the country. “History teaches us that nations rise or fall not merely on the strength of their natural resources, but on the wisdom with which they deploy their human capital. This conference is therefore not incidental, it is a critical mission,” said Dr. Inyangala.
The PS further challenged the status quo by presenting a labour market analysis that revealed a troubling paradox of employers reporting persistent skills gaps, pointing to the irony of jobs without graduates, while many graduates remain jobless in saturated fields. “This mismatch tells a story of misalignment of our programmes, careers and jobs, which have contributed significantly to high youth unemployment. As a government, we are dealing decisively with this problem, but to succeed, we need to begin where guidance is given at events like this,” she added.
MMUST’s Director of Career Services, Prof. Robert Egessa, provides career guidance to a student during the KUCCPS National Career Conference at KICC.
Speaking during an interview, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha noted that the event was not a new venture for MMUST, but an amplification of an existing mission. “Through our Directorate of Career Services, MMUST has been actively participating in grassroots career mentorship. We have consistently traversed the country, visiting schools to provide students with the critical information needed to navigate higher education. Our participation in this inaugural national forum is a scale-up for us as it provides a centralized, higher-impact platform to amplify the work MMUST is already doing on the ground,” he stated.
Giving an assurance on the quality of education, the CEO of KUCCPS, Dr. Agnes Wahome assured students that the service only places applicants in programmes fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). “We hope this is just the first of many,” she said, envisioning the conference as an annual event in the KUCCPS calendar.
The CEO of KUCCPS, Dr. Agnes Wahome (centre); the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee for Public Universities, Prof. Daniel Mugendi (right); and the CEO of the Universities Fund, Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi (left), visit the MMUST exhibition booth at the KICC.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Vice Chancellor’s Committee for Public Universities, Prof. Daniel Mugendi, who also Chairs the KUCCPS Placement Committee, described the conference as a perfectly timed intervention during the national education system transition. “This conference will provide a platform for dialogue on career guidance, which aligns with the new education system that emphasizes a learner-centered approach, active parental engagement, and the deliberate development of skills and talents,” he explained, assuring participants that the convening is now a ‘new tradition in the making’.
The Ag. Principal MMUST TVET College, Prof. Stephen Odebero engages with prospective students and parents at the university’s exhibition booth.
While making a presentation on ‘Career Guidance and Student Placement’, the Director Placement, Coordination and Career Development at KUCCPS, Prof. John Oluoch reminded the audience that KUCCPS owes a duty to the nation to ensure that they guide students to transition smoothly from high schools into institutions of higher learning. “We are anchored on the pillars of equity, access, and transparency in our placements and career guidance,” he said, adding that career guidance matters as it helps learners make informed career choices, reduces mismatch and drop-outs, and enhances employability and productivity.
Outlining the framework of career guidance, Prof. Oluoch emphasized three pillars; self-awareness, academic ability and labour market information. “Our efforts are directed towards making the students more aware of themselves and the opportunities that lie ahead. Only when you understand both yourself and the market can you pick a path that truly matters,” he noted.
The Director Placement, Coordination and Career Development at KUCCPS, Prof. John Oluoch (centre) at the MMUST stand.
Prof. Oluoch did not shy away from the challenges facing the placement process, citing limited career information, parental pressure, rapid labour market changes, and mismatch between training and jobs.
“We are aware that sometimes parents want to force students into programmes that do not align with the child’s interests or capabilities. The parent of today is enlightened and I encourage you to have a conversation with your children. Let us guide them toward what they want to become, not what we, in our own youth, wanted to be but failed to achieve. Let us not try to live our failed dreams through our children’s futures,” he advised.
The University’s Marketing Officer, Mr. James Mureithi.
The MMUST delegation included the Ag. Principal MMUST TVET College, Prof. Stephen Odebero; Director Career Services, Prof. Robert Egessa; Senior Assistant Registrar Admissions, Mr. Christopher Noah; Senior Administrative Assistant MMUST TVET College, Ms. Mable Wambani; Marketing Officer, Mr. James Mureithi; and Mr. Jacob Rotich from the University’s Admissions Office.
The overwhelming turnout of thousands of students and hundreds of parents at the KICC was clear evidence of the dire need for accessible career information. This event underscored the urgency for KUCCPS and its partners to continue strengthening career guidance systems. By doing so, Kenya ensures that students pursue programs they are truly passionate about. The ultimate result will be a generation of graduates who are well-resourced, skilled, and possess the right attitude to drive the nation’s economic development.
By Caren Nekesa
