Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Kenya's national internship policy, labeling the current framework as ineffective and disconnected from the realities facing the nation's youth. Speaking during a Senate session on Thursday, 30 October 2025, Oketch argued that internships must be treated as a critical national investment in human capital rather than a procedural formality, urging immediate reforms to tackle Kenya's severe youth unemployment crisis.

The Senator's intervention comes amidst a backdrop of staggering youth unemployment figures. According to the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), the youth unemployment rate for Kenyans aged 15-34 stands at a staggering 67%, while other estimates from the World Bank place the figure for those aged 15-24 at 11.93% in 2024. Senator Oketch cited figures ranging between 35% and 67%, emphasizing that this crisis demands a functional policy that equips young people with practical skills and tangible work experience. "The government cannot continue relying on a six-year-old regulation that is no longer effective," Oketch stated, referencing the Public Service Commission's (PSC) 2016 Internship Policy and Guidelines.

A Policy Under Scrutiny

Kenya's primary public sector internship framework, the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP), was initiated by the PSC in 2019, building on the 2016 policy. The program, which has enrolled over 25,200 graduates across six cohorts, aims to provide hands-on experience and inculcate public service values, offering a monthly stipend of KSh 25,000. However, the program has faced criticism for its limited absorption capacity, with thousands of former interns claiming they were "trained and dumped" without a clear path to employment. A September 2025 study by Kenyatta University on the PSIP found that while it had a positive correlation with employment, significant challenges remained, including a mismatch between skills and placements.

The legal status of interns in Kenya remains a contentious issue. While the National Employment Authority Act of 2016 defines an intern as an employee and a contract of internship as a contract of service, the broader Employment Act of 2007 does not explicitly mention interns. This ambiguity has created a policy vacuum, particularly in the private sector, leading to widespread exploitation. Many organizations offer unpaid internships, assigning interns full workloads or menial tasks with little to no mentorship, a practice described by some commentators as "modern slavery." A recent landmark ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court found the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) guilty of unfair labour practices for hiring qualified teachers as interns, reinforcing the principle that the nature of the work, not the contract's title, defines an employment relationship.

Calls for a Structured, Fair Framework

In his address, Senator Oketch proposed a new policy framework centered on fair selection, adequate compensation, and clear metrics for success. He advocated for a "rigorous process of identifying young people and providing them with a reasonable stipend that supports their basic needs." This sentiment was echoed by other senators, with some backing a proposal to increase the public service internship stipend from KSh 30,000 to KSh 50,000 to reflect the rising cost of living.

The challenges are not unique to the public sector. The private sector's adoption of structured internship programs has been slow, often hampered by a lack of clear guidelines and enforcement. This has left many young Kenyans navigating a difficult landscape where internships are often a prerequisite for entry-level jobs but frequently serve as a trap of exploitation rather than a bridge to employment. The government has acknowledged these gaps, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announcing in May 2025 a partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to develop a more robust, incentivized internship program to be domiciled in the private sector.

As the Senate considers the motion, the focus sharpens on the National Employment Authority (NEA), the state body mandated with coordinating all internship programs and developing relevant policies. The push for reform led by Senator Oketch places pressure on the government to move beyond policy statements and implement a legally sound, well-resourced, and transparent national internship framework that can genuinely empower Kenya's next generation of workers and address one of the country's most pressing socio-economic challenges.