- The Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) also offers the youth financial incentives in the form a monthly stipend of Sh25,000.
- Former interns have petitioned PSC, demanding automatic permanent absorption of interns into the public service.
Image: PSC
The Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) has so far benefited 25,200 interns.
The programme was started by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2019 to equip graduates with requisite skills, work ethics and hands-on experience.
PSC on Thursday noted that the programme also offers the youth financial incentives in the form of a monthly stipend of Sh25,000.
“As of today, the programme has cumulatively benefitted 25,200 interns from Cohort I to Cohort VI, since inception,” PSC said in a statement.
The commission noted that despite limited employment opportunities in the public service, PSC has competitively recruited 1,964 interns alongside other job applicants to take up advertised posts in Ministries and State Departments.
“The Public Service Commission graciously appreciates the enthusiasm, skills, competencies and the new work ethic and culture exhibited by the young people who have served under PSIP,” it said.
The commission however pointed out that preferential treatment of PSIP or other interns in public service recruitments potentially violates constitutional provisions on merit and non-discrimination.
PSC issued the statement after it received a petition by representatives of interns who previously served in Ministries, State Departments and Agencies (MDAS) and County Governments under the PSIP, Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) programme.
Among other concerns, the petition demanded automatic permanent absorption of interns into the public service.
On July 15, 2024, the commission met representatives of the interns at Commission House and addressed the issues raised by the interns and Kenyans in general regarding PSC’s recruitment and selection processes.
Under Article 232 of the Constitution, the commission is required to ensure fair competition and merit, as the basis of appointments and promotions; representation of Kenya's diverse communities; and adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at all levels of the public service, of (i) men and women; (ii) the members of all ethnic groups; and (iii) persons with disabilities.
The commission conducts its recruitment processes on the basis of criteria outlined in the job advertisement as well as constitutional requirements that include; skills and competencies, representation of diverse communities, gender balance, geographical spread, PWD considerations and other applicable affirmative considerations.
Procedurally, PSC recruits on behalf of public institutions.
It employs following the requests from MDAS, MDAs submit requests to the Commission after receiving approval from the National Treasury on the availability of funds to cater for the employment.
Job vacancy indents received by PSC from MDAs detail qualifications and number of staff required.
The Commission then recruits, selects and submits names of successful candidates to respective MDAs for formal offers of employment.
The commission reiterated its commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, efficiency, transparency and placing citizens at the centre of its service delivery model.