The Public Service Commission (PSC) plans to increase the number of positions under its Public Service Internship Programme from approximately 8,000 to 50,000, in a move that could open up thousands of opportunities for unemployed graduates across Kenya.
PSC Chairperson Francis Meja announced the proposed expansion on November 2, 2026, during a two-day capacity-building forum at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa.
The meeting brought together chief executives of state corporations and vice-chancellors of public universities, with Meja directing the institutions to identify and declare available internship positions ahead of the planned January 2027 intake.
The proposed expansion would increase the programme’s capacity more than sixfold, making it the largest intake since its establishment.
PSC Directs Government Agencies to Declare Internship Vacancies
To facilitate the planned recruitment, Meja said the Commission would write to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), requesting staffing reports showing the number of interns their institutions could accommodate.
The reports will help PSC establish available placement opportunities across government institutions and coordinate the expanded intake.
Heads of state agencies and public universities have also been asked to formally declare their vacancies to support the placement of the targeted 50,000 graduates.
PSC Chairperson Raises Concern Over Treatment of Interns
Beyond increasing the number of available positions, the Commission has raised concerns about how some institutions have handled previous groups of interns.
Meja criticised the practice of assigning graduates duties unrelated to their professional training, including running errands and serving as office messengers.
“There have been unfortunate incidents in previous intakes where some interns were reduced to office messengers,” Meja said.
He added that the programme was intended to equip young professionals with practical workplace experience and prepare them for the employment market.
The PSC chairperson urged heads of institutions to ensure interns receive meaningful assignments that support their professional development.
How the PSC Internship Programme Works
The Public Service Internship Programme provides unemployed graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in government ministries, state departments and agencies.
Successful applicants are placed in host institutions for a 12-month period, during which they gain exposure to public service operations and develop skills relevant to their respective professions.
Participants also receive a monthly stipend during the internship period.
The programme is designed to prepare graduates for employment in the public sector, private companies and other professional opportunities.
Who Qualifies for the January 2027 PSC Internship Intake?
The Commission has not yet published the official eligibility requirements for the proposed 50,000-position intake.
However, previous recruitment cycles have generally targeted graduates who:
- Have completed their studies at a recognised university or tertiary institution.
- Are currently unemployed.
- Meet the graduation-period requirements specified in the recruitment notice.
Applicants have previously submitted their applications through the PSC online recruitment portal.
The final eligibility requirements for the January 2027 intake will depend on the official recruitment advertisement.
When Will PSC Open Applications for the 50,000 Internship Positions?
The PSC has not announced an official application opening date or deadline for the proposed recruitment.
The Commission indicated that the application process would begin after it confirms the number of available placements across participating government institutions.
Graduates are therefore advised to monitor the Commission’s official website and communication channels for recruitment announcements.
Official website: Public Service Commission of Kenya
What Graduates Should Know About the January 2027 Recruitment
Although the proposed expansion could provide more opportunities for unemployed graduates, several details remain outstanding.
The PSC is yet to confirm:
- The official application opening and closing dates.
- The final eligibility requirements.
- The monthly stipend.
- The distribution of internship positions across government institutions.
- The application and selection procedures.
Graduates should wait for the official recruitment notice before submitting applications or relying on unofficial claims about available positions.
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