Dr. Joshua Arimi, dean of Meru University of Science and Technology’s School of Agriculture and Food Science, has criticized Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS) policies for creating barriers to agriculture education. The expert points to 2018 and 2019 enrollment trends, arguing that the agency’s 2016/2017 entry cluster reforms disproportionately disadvantaged agricultural studies.
KUCCPS attributed low enrollment in agriculture programs during 2018 and 2019 to student preferences, but Arimi disputes this claim. He notes that requirements for agricultural courses often exceed those for other disciplines, such as aeronautics engineering or business studies. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology mandates a C+ in biology, chemistry, and mathematics or physics—standards matching those for more technically demanding programs.
Agriculture-related degrees are clustered in 17A, 17B, and 17C, requiring combinations of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and language subjects. Arimi highlights that agribusiness management demands a C in mathematics A and a B+ in biology, while similar business programs in Cluster 2A require only a C in mathematics. He questions why agriculture courses face stricter criteria despite employing 70% of Kenya’s workforce.
The expert criticizes the Ministry of Education’s characterization of agriculture programs as "useless," noting the sector’s central role in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s "Big Four" food security agenda. KUCCPS and the ministry have not publicly responded to these concerns, though Arimi urges policymakers to review the cluster system to address inequities.
