Senator Cherargei Champions Intern Welfare in Public Service

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has initiated a legislative effort to significantly improve the working conditions and future career prospects for interns serving under the Public Service Commission (PSC). On Friday, October 3, 2025, Senator Cherargei announced on his X account that he had tabled a motion in the Senate aimed at enhancing the welfare of public sector interns.

The proposed motion focuses on three key areas: increasing interns' remuneration, establishing mechanisms to reward innovation, and creating clear pathways for their transition from temporary internships to permanent and pensionable employment within the public service.

Context of Internships in Kenya's Public Service

Internships in the Kenyan public service are designed to provide unemployed graduates with practical experience and skills to enhance their employability. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has an existing internship policy and guidelines, last updated in May 2016, which outlines the framework for these programmes. The government also approved the Internship and Volunteer Policy and Guidelines for the Public Service in March 2025, aiming to streamline recruitment, engagement, and management of interns and volunteers, ensuring fair compensation and clear career pathways.

Despite these policies, concerns have persisted regarding the adequacy of stipends, the limited duration of programmes, and the lack of clear avenues for permanent employment. Previous legislative attempts, such as the Public Service Internship Bill, 2021 and 2022, have also sought to address these issues, proposing provisions for monthly stipends, insurance, and other entitlements for interns.

Legal and Policy Framework

Under Kenyan law, interns are increasingly being recognised as employees and are entitled to certain rights and benefits under the Employment Act, 2007. Recent court judgments have reinforced this, with one ruling finding the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) guilty of unfair and discriminatory practices by employing qualified teachers as interns, highlighting the constitutional rights of interns to fair labour practices and equal treatment.

The Public Service Internship Bill, 2022, currently at its Second Reading in the National Assembly, aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for regulating internship programmes in both national and county governments. This Bill proposes entitlements such as sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and subsistence allowances, in addition to personal accident insurance cover for the duration of the internship.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Implications

Analysts suggest that Senator Cherargei's motion could significantly influence public debate and policy implementation concerning intern welfare. Stakeholders are calling for clarity on the timelines for implementing these changes, the associated costs, and the safeguards to ensure equitable application across all government departments.

The current average stipend for PSC interns ranges from KSh 15,000 to KSh 30,000 per month, which Senator Cherargei has previously argued is insufficient, especially for interns in major urban centres like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. The Public Service Internship Bill, 2021, had proposed a minimum stipend of KSh 30,000 for Bachelor's degree holders, with additional allowances for technical courses.

Evidence and Data

• Motion Tabled: Friday, October 3, 2025.
• Key Focus Areas: Increased remuneration, innovation recognition, transition to permanent employment.
• Current Stipend Range (PSC): KSh 15,000 – KSh 30,000 per month (as of June 2025).
• Proposed Stipend (Public Service Internship Bill, 2021): Minimum KSh 30,000 for Bachelor's degree holders, with allowances up to KSh 9,000 per day for technical tasks.
• Internship Duration: Typically between three and twelve months, or as prescribed by professional bodies.

Risks and Implications

While the motion is widely seen as a positive step, potential challenges include securing adequate budgetary allocations to support increased stipends and the absorption of interns into permanent roles. There is also the risk of inconsistent application of new policies across various government entities without a robust oversight mechanism.

What to Watch

The progress of Senator Cherargei's motion through the Senate will be critical. Attention will also be on the Public Service Commission's response and any subsequent amendments or new regulations that emerge from this legislative push. The implementation of the government's Internship and Volunteer Policy and Guidelines, approved in March 2025, will also be closely monitored for its impact on intern welfare and career pathways.

Related

The Public Service Commission opened applications for Cohort 8 of the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) for the 2025/2026 financial year in July 2025, offering a year-long, non-renewable programme for fresh graduates. This initiative aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 framework, which prioritises human capital development and youth employment.