CS Kuria Addresses Fate of Interns and Future Employment Opportunities
During his appearance on Citizen TV’s JKL Show, Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria had to address the pressing issue of internships and employment opportunities.
The discussion sparked Kenyans on social media, who highlighted the exploitation of interns’ skills and dedication without subsequent consideration for permanent employment, creating a cycle of uncertainty and disillusionment.
CS Kuria acknowledged the interns’ concerns, emphasizing that the PSC has a cohort of 8,600 interns, but has suspended recruitment and plans to cut numbers. He assured the interns that the government would prioritize any new employment opportunities within the public service.
However, he also emphasized that the private sector must drive the economy and that the government is not the only source of employment. Kuria mentioned ongoing discussions with companies like Safaricom to explore how the private sector can absorb more interns.
Kuria expressed his commitment to job creation, noting that even creating five more jobs would be a significant achievement given the high demand.
National Youth Service (NYS) Initiatives
Responding to questions about NYS graduates, CS Kuria revealed plans for a new phase of NYS, which includes the establishment of NYS Enterprises.
This initiative aims to transform NYS into major players in sectors like agriculture and construction, modeled after state-owned companies in China.
Kuria emphasized that by 2027, NYS recruitment would reach 100,000 individuals without any additional government expenditure.
Kuria underscored the implementation of private sector principles in these enterprises, thereby facilitating the integration of many NYS graduates into the workforce.
Public Service Interns’ Struggles
Addressing the grievances of public service interns, Kuria reiterated that the primary purpose of internships is skill development, not guaranteed employment.
He assured that the skills gained during internships would enhance employability, whether in the public or private sector.
He pointed out that there are 400,000 job opportunities listed on the Ministry of Labor’s website, indicating the availability of employment outside the government.
CS Kuria Addresses Fate of Interns and Future Employment Opportunities
