Engineering courses face declining demand as TUK reports 473 vacant degree slots

• TUK has reported 473 unfilled degree positions during the KUCCPS transfer exercise, including five in Mechanical Engineering.
• Learners have increasingly chosen programmes promising quicker employment, while engineering has faced challenges of high costs, lengthy registration, and limited job opportunities.
• The unfilled slots have reignited discussion on how Kenya has promoted engineering careers and whether technical education has been aligned with industry needs.

The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) has reported 473 unfilled degree slots during the ongoing KUCCPS inter‑institution transfer exercise, reigniting debate over the declining demand for engineering education in the country.

Among the vacancies are five places in Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), a programme that, just over a decade ago, was considered one of the country’s most competitive university courses.

Before 2015, securing admission into Mechanical Engineering through KUCCPS often required outstanding KCSE grades, with many of the available slots being taken up during the first placement.

The latest figures point to a significant shift in student preferences and have raised questions about the future of engineering education.

Stakeholders argue that many learners are now gravitating towards programmes perceived to offer quicker employment opportunities, while others select universities based on reputation, location, and facilities rather than the courses themselves.

Concerns have also been raised about the state of the engineering job market, where graduates face stiff competition for limited opportunities. The high cost of pursuing engineering programmes, coupled with the lengthy registration process required to qualify as professional engineers, has discouraged some students from enrolling.

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Education experts further note that the expansion of engineering programmes to more universities has diluted demand, reducing the intense competition that once characterised flagship courses such as Mechanical Engineering.

The vacancies at TUK have sparked wider discussion on whether Kenya needs to rethink how engineering careers are promoted and aligned with industry needs. Observers say the trend underscores the urgency of linking technical education more closely with labour market realities.

As the KUCCPS transfer window continues, the available slots present another opportunity for qualified students to pursue engineering and other science‑based programmes. At the same time, the figures highlight shifting trends in university course selection and the evolving fortunes of engineering education in Kenya.

By Kithinji Njeru

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