Thousands of Interns to Stage a Protest at Public Service Commission
Thousands of interns are set to stage a sit-in at the Public Service Commission (PSC) offices on Monday. This protest involves a large number of frustrated interns who are seeking employment after completing their internship training. Since 2019, over 50,000 interns have been volunteering with the hope of securing job placements.
Frustration Over Lack of Response
The interns have expressed frustration over the lack of response from the PSC, despite multiple letters sent requesting job placements. One intern highlighted the broken promise made by the PSC: “They said that once we get the certificate of completion, we are going to be absorbed. We have been looking for employment since 2019.”
Background of the PSC Internship Programme
The PSC internship programme, launched in 2019, aimed to provide graduates with essential skills, work ethics, and experience. Interns under this programme receive a monthly stipend of Sh25,000. As of Thursday, the PSC reported that 25,200 interns have benefited from the programme since its inception.
Interns Criticize the Programme
Despite the benefits provided, many interns feel disillusioned. “We were trained and dumped,” said one group leader at a recent press conference. He has called on graduates and parents to join the protest to advocate for job opportunities.
PSC’s Recruitment and Response
Although all interns have clearance documents, job opportunities remain scarce. The PSC recently announced the recruitment of 1,964 interns into various positions, though this number is limited. In a statement, the PSC acknowledged the interns’ contributions and praised their skills, work ethic, and enthusiasm. On July 15, the commission met with intern representatives to discuss complaints about the recruitment and selection process.
