PSC Seeks Parliament’s Support to Expand Internship Opportunities for Youth

The Public Service Commission of Kenya (PSC) has appealed to lawmakers to increase budgetary support to enable the expansion of the government’s internship programme aimed at providing young graduates with practical work experience.

In a presentation to the National Assembly Labour Committee on Saturday, March 7, 2026, the commission emphasized the need for additional resources to strengthen the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP), which targets the placement of up to 20,000 interns across government institutions.

PSC officials told the committee that limited funding has slowed the programme’s growth, preventing it from meeting the rising demand for internship placements requested by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

According to data presented by the commission, demand for the programme has steadily increased since its launch in August 2019. Over the past seven years, the PSIP has admitted eight cohorts between 2019 and 2026, with 37,504 interns deployed to nearly 300 MDAs across the country.

However, the commission noted a significant gap between available opportunities and demand. Across the eight cohorts, the programme received 278,857 applications, yet only 37,504 candidates were appointed, despite 61,295 internship placements requested by government institutions.

Officials described the internship programme as a critical government intervention designed to bridge the gap between academic training and workplace experience.

The commission said the initiative equips graduates with hands-on skills that improve their competitiveness in both the public and private sectors.

PSC also reported that approximately 15 percent of interns who completed the programme have transitioned into formal employment within the public sector, while many others have secured opportunities in the private sector after gaining valuable experience during their internship placements.

The chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Kenya told lawmakers that expanding the programme through adequate funding would help address youth unemployment while strengthening the capacity of government institutions.

The commission expressed optimism that support from Parliament would allow the programme to scale up and meet the growing demand for internship opportunities, while contributing to the development of a more skilled national workforce.