The Public Service Commission (PSC) has officially launched its annual recruitment for the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
This program is designed to offer recent graduates practical experience across various government ministries, departments, and agencies, as part of Kenya’s broader youth empowerment initiative.
PSIP provides college graduates with hands-on skills to boost their employability and offers opportunities for networking and entrepreneurship.
This year’s recruitment is for Cohort 7 interns, who will engage in a 12-month, non-renewable internship. According to a PSC social media announcement, interns will receive a government-determined stipend and, after completing the program, will be awarded a certificate recognizing their experience and contributions.
Applicants must meet the following qualifications in order to file their application:
1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
2. Have graduated no earlier than 2018.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills
The duties that they will be undertaking include but not limited to:
1. Completing duties mutually agreed upon and assigned by the supervisors.
2. Documenting relevant skills acquired in their areas of deployment.
3. Actively participating in any relevant mentorship activities and additional responsibilities designed for the programme
Here is how apply for the PSC internship programme:
The PSC urged interested graduates to apply online via the Public Service Commission’s job portal by September 2, 2024. The official websites for submission are www.publicservice.go.ke and www.psckjobs.go.ke.
Launched in 2019, the Public Service Internship Programme was designed to connect education with the workplace for graduates. Since then, it has provided a KSh 25,000 monthly stipend to over 25,200 interns across various cohorts. 1,964 interns have been able to secure permanent employment in various departments and ministries.
In July, several dissatisfied interns questioned the selection criteria with claims of nepotism. The PSC responded by explaining that it follows the recruitment requests of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which are submitted after the National Treasury approves the remuneration funds.
The PSC stated that it adheres to a strict recruitment protocol, emphasizing that its process follows job advertisements and constitutional requirements to ensure diverse community representation and gender balance.
Although the PSC acknowledges the program’s success, it emphasizes that the internship does not guarantee permanent employment in the public sector. Automatic absorption, the Commission argued, would undermine the principles of fairness and merit that are central to the recruitment process.
