Kenya’s agency that places learners to universities and colleges is gearing up for a leadership change after it announced a vacancy in the office of the chief executive, meaning the incumbent Agnes Mercy Wahome will be leaving the corner office after five years at the helm.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) issued the top job notice on October 7 and asked interested people to apply by October 28. The position is likely to attract many people and generate a lot of interest as the stature of the agency continues to rise.
Resting on three directorate pillars, the KUCCPS chief executive is responsible for the day-to-day running of the affairs of the corporation, including implementation of board policies, programmes and strategies, the notice said.
Christine Mwaka, Christopher Yegon, and John Oluoch head corporate services; strategy and planning; and, placement & careers directorates in that order. Cyrus Gituai is the chairman, having been re-appointed recently for another full term of three years.
Although the placement agency still has a lot of work of enrolling more young people into various certificate, diploma, and degree programmes, Dr Wahome will be exiting having bagged a number of gains, including convincing the much-sought-after Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to admit its students through the KUCCPS.
Of the 961,144 who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education last year, Dr Wahome said only 246,165 — slightly more than a quarter — have been placed, meaning more than 700,000 were still out there in the streets. Placing such a small number of learners contrasts with the benefits of 100 percent transition from primary schools to junior and senior schools.
Dr Wahome told the Senate Committee on Education on September 26 that enrolling a small number “raises several concerns because we have not been able to really track them.” Among other woes, this big number out of colleges means the economy could be losing key talent that it needs to navigate the economic terrain and grow.
Those seeking the CEO position must have served for at least 15 years, with five in a senior management position, the advert said.
Among other qualifications, the applicants must hold a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, have completed a leadership course lasting not less than four weeks, and be a member in good standing of a relevant professional body where applicable.
Candidates should also possess a valid practising certificate where required, be proficient in computer applications, and demonstrate outstanding managerial and professional competence.
“The Chief Executive Officer shall report to the Board and shall hold the office for a term of five (5) years, renewable once, subject to performance and retirement age. Remuneration attached to this position shall be determined in accordance with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission,” the notice said.
