Students seeking placement in tertiary institutions have expressed their frustrations after the Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal collapsed.
Several students told The Standard that they have been unable to access the system for several days and have been unable to follow up on the status of their applications.
They claimed the system has derailed their efforts to prepare to join the institutions of higher learning.
In the Mount Kenya region, tens of youth who had camped in some cyber cafes in Murang'a town claimed the system had remained unresponsive.
Mercy Mueni from Kamahuha expressed concerns after her application 'hung', dashing her hopes of joining nursing training.
"The government, it seems, was not prepared to handle loads of applications. It was through the grace of God the system was restored on Saturday after wasting a lot of resources through the portal," said Mueni.
John Chege, a cyber cafe operator, described the situation as disheartening for the youth as they camped in the premises awaiting the restoration of the portal.
Chege said following the unavailability of the portal, some with computers in their homes sought their services only to learn that it was a national problem.
"The situation improved on Saturday afternoon, and was able to serve all those who were in the queue," said Chege.
Samuel Mburu, a cyber-attendant at Nyeri town, told The Standard that the system is not working.
"I have a list of clients who want the services, but anytime I try to log in the page displays that it is "out of reach," Mburu said.
Rueben Macharia, another cyber attendant, experienced the same problem.
Gerald Maina from Nyeri, who is set to join Meru National Polytechnic, said since the portal was opened, he had not completed registration.
In Kitale, several applicants were in a panic, noting that they had only 12 days to choose their preferred courses and institutions.
Students told The Standard that since the KUCCPS portal was opened last Thursday, it had remained inaccessible.
Those interviewed complained that they have made frantic efforts to log in but the portal is down.
"Since Thursday last week, I have been trying day and night to log in to no avail," said George Bush Obare, who wants to pursue a course in Medicine.
In Nyanza, some parents urged the government to consider extending the application deadline.
Some students were forced to wait for long hours in cyber cafes in Homa Bay and Siaya towns.
The students complained that the system could not allow them to enter their credentials.
"I have been here for five hours, but I have not succeeded because the portal has technical issues," said Billy Ochienge.
Fred Onyango, a cyber operator in Homa Bay town decried losing customers over the hitch.
[Reporting by James Omoro, Boniface Gikandi, Purity Mwangi and Osinde Obare]
