Mombasa: The Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes is seeking collaboration with the private sector to develop innovative internship and employment programs aimed at addressing youth unemployment in Kenya. Speaking during the 11th Annual Human Resource (HR) Congress convened by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) at Sarova Whitesands, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Public Service Geoffrey Ruku emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting young people by equipping them with practical skills through internships.

According to Kenya News Agency, Ruku highlighted the current placement of 3,105 interns in various departments under the Public Service internship programme. However, he acknowledged that this number is insufficient to accommodate the increasing number of graduates from colleges and universities across the country. He stressed the importance of partnering with the private sector to significantly expand the capacity of the internship programme.

Ruku suggested that incentivizing the private sector to support internships would enable more young people to benefit from hands-on experience, build confidence, and acquire necessary skills for the job market. This approach aims to facilitate a smoother transition for youth into employment or entrepreneurship.

Additionally, the CS underscored the vital role HR practitioners must play in shaping the proposed programme. He announced plans to engage with the private sector starting next week to co-create a robust and innovative internship model, highlighting the need for HR managers’ involvement in the process.