The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced a significant revision of its internship policy to include diploma and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in the Public Service Internship Program (PSIP).
Previously, the PSIP primarily targeted university graduates with bachelor's degrees, leaving many diploma and TVET holders without access to government internship opportunities. PSC Chairperson Francis Meja revealed the update during a meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, on August 4, 2026.
Key highlights of the policy revision include:
- Inclusion of diploma and TVET graduates in the PSIP, broadening the pool of eligible candidates.
- Potential benefit for approximately 718,000 students currently enrolled in TVET institutions nationwide.
- Over 2,400 accredited TVET centers now contribute to Kenya’s skilled workforce, focusing on practical training.
- Applications for PSIP Cohort 9 (2026/2027) are open until August 17, offering more than 3,000 internship placements across government departments.
- Interns will receive a monthly government stipend, historically around Ksh 25,000, for a 12-month non-renewable internship period.
This development follows President William Ruto's directive to increase the number of interns in the public service to accommodate more graduates from diverse educational backgrounds. The shift aims to provide diploma and TVET graduates with valuable work experience within state ministries, agencies, and departments.
The move is expected to address previous disparities where technical trainees faced challenges accessing similar opportunities as university degree holders, aligning with Kenya's growing emphasis on technical skills and vocational training in workforce development.
