Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has proposed increasing the monthly stipend paid to Kenyans undertaking government internship programmes, to help them cope with the high cost of living.
In a notice shared by the lawmaker on Monday, June 16, and filed before the Senate, Cherargei urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to review its guidelines on the internship programme to make them more accommodating for those seeking employment.
According to Cherargei, the stipend offered to interns, ranging between Ksh15,000 and Ksh30,000, was unsustainable, particularly for those in major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He also noted that most internship programmes offered by the PSC were limited in number and lacked a clear pathway to permanent and pensionable employment.
Additionally, Cherargei argued that the government's internship programme was marred by its limited duration, thereby hindering skill development for those entering the job market.
"Internship opportunities are limited in number, skewed in distribution across government departments and agencies, lack a clear pathway to permanent employment, and have inadequate opportunities for skill development," Cherargei stated.
He went on to add: "The stipend offered to PSC interns is insufficient, with an average stipend ranging from Ksh15,000 to Ksh30,000 per month, which is not sustainable."
In his petition to the Senate, the vocal legislator also proposed an amendment to the law to establish proper mechanisms for promoting and rewarding innovation by interns.
However, this is not the first time Cherargei has filed a motion before the Senate demanding changes to the PSC internship programme. In May last year, he filed a similar petition calling for a standardised pay for government interns.
He claimed that most interns across the country often go without pay, while those who do receive it either get small amounts or, in some cases, are provided only with breakfast and lunch as compensation.
While speaking before the Senate, Cherargei stated that a standardised pay for interns across all professions in the country would significantly address the challenges facing young Kenyans seeking employment.
In particular, the lawmaker highlighted the grievances raised by intern doctors who, at the time, were protesting and demanding an increase in their stipend from Ksh70,000 to Ksh206,000 per month.
