The public service commission (PSC) has launched its recruitment drive for the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
This program, designed to provide recent graduates with crucial work experience, is currently attracting criticism over alleged biases in the hiring process.
The 2024 recruitment, aimed at Cohort 7, offers a 12-month, non-renewable internship across various government ministries, departments, and agencies.
As part of the government’s broader initiative to empower youth, the program is praised for enhancing employability through practical experience and networking opportunities.
However, recent controversies have overshadowed its achievements.
On July 19, 2024, a protest by interns without union support emerged, highlighting frustrations over perceived systemic corruption and nepotism within the PSC.
The demonstrators called for an audit of hiring practices since 2018, the elimination of ghost workers, the dismissal of those with fraudulent certificates, and strict enforcement of retirement age policies.
How the PSC defended the commission’s recruitment
In response, PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri defended the commission’s recruitment practices, asserting adherence to job advertisements and constitutional guidelines to ensure diverse representation and gender balance.
Departments available
The PSC recruits on behalf of public institutions, based on requests from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which must first obtain funding approval from the National Treasury.
Since its inception in 2019, the Public Service Internship Programme has offered a KSh 25,000 monthly stipend to over 25,200 interns.
Despite its success, the PSC refutes any claims that the program guarantees permanent employment in the public sector, emphasizing that automatic job placements would compromise fairness and merit.
The PSC’s latest recruitment announcement, specifies that applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, have graduated not earlier than 2018, and possess computer skills.
Applications are to be submitted online through the PSC’s job portal by September 2, 2024.
