The Public Service Commission hosted cohort V of the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action, and Absa Bank.
The event occurred on March 30 and 31, 2023, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
The event to launch the Public Service Commission Values and Principles Compliance report for 2021-2022 was presided by President William Ruto.
The initiative was commissioned by President William Ruto, who oversaw the induction of 3,902 interns drawn from all 1,450 wards in the country into the public service.
Several notable speakers and distinguished guests attended the event, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Attorney General Justin Muturi, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action Aisha Jumwa, and Public Service Commission Chairperson Ambassador Anthony Muchiri.
The internship program was launched in 2019 during President Kenyatta’s tenure and runs for one year.
Program’s aim
Ambassador Muchiri explained that one reason the government offers public service internship programs to the young generation is to instill national values and principles of governance at an early age.
“Inculcating national values and principles of governance, as well as values and principles of public service to young Kenyans is like taking care of a valuable crop at a tender age.
The good crop you will get during harvest time is what Kenyan citizens will get if we get it right with this young generation,” he stated.
According to him, countries that have invested in the mentorship of their young citizens have seen improvements in service delivery, good governance, and enhanced productivity.
Fairness in selection
According to Muchiri, all the constitutional mandates were observed during the internship recruitment process, and all recruits were selected fairly.
“All the constitutional imperatives were observed, and out of a field of 31,000 applicants, the public service settled on 3,902 interns without any bias,” Muchiri explained.
Muchiri’s counterpart from the Ministry of Public Service, Ms. Jumwa, said that the Public Service Internship Programme focuses on uplifting the youth.
“The target group in the Public Service Internship Programme represents the very segment that the Kenya Kwanza Government seeks to empower through the bottom-up economic transformation model.
For this reason, and in the execution of our mandate as the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action, we will continue to explore ways of enhancing the impact of such an initiative,” Ms. Jumwa elaborated.
She further added that the Kenya Kwanza government will review some of the policies within the public service to have more youth representation in the public sector.
“As a way of increasing youth representation in public service, the ministry will continue working with the PSC to review policies and practices for diversity and inclusion, human resource development, and succession management,” she pledged.
Ms. Jumwa also said the internship program will provide rigorous training to the recruits, enabling them to be highly skilled and have a robust public service.
Gender balance
Regarding gender balance within the public service, Ms. Jumwa acknowledged the strides the government has made towards bridging the gender parity gap within the public service though more needs to be done at the senior level.
“According to PSC Report 2022, public service has achieved gender balance except at the senior level where there is still gender disparity,” she elucidated.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi reiterated that for a nation to attract investments, it must have a well-organized public service.
“Private sectors will not pay taxes efficiently unless it is anchored with an efficient public service and that public service must be nurtured,” he added.
Mudavadi also lauded the efforts of the PSC in creating employment opportunities for the youth through the internship program.
“The Public Service Internship Programme is an initiative that we should continue to consolidate,” he observed.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua highlighted the benefits of a robust public service.
“A vibrant and motivated public service is good for any administration,… for any country as well as its economy,” he acknowledged.
Public service, a backbone
Mr. Gachagua stated that President Ruto’s government’s success would largely depend on public service.
“… the implementation of those policies to become a gain for the people of Kenya will be implemented by the public service. It is, therefore, necessary we invest time and resources in the public service to deliver your agenda,” he elaborated, referring to the president’s efforts.
Gachagua urged public servants to encourage investments in the country by limiting bureaucracy.
“I ask all public officials to take advantage of the new dispensation by working with commitment and supporting investments. Previously, public officials would hinder businesses with bureaucracy. I urge public servants to make it easy for Kenyans to do business,” the deputy president said.
On his part, President William Ruto hailed the PSC for being non-partisan and serving Kenyans without bias.
“I am encouraged that the PSC has maintained its political neutrality and impartiality for the greater part of our independent history, especially since the advent of competitive democracy,” he said.
Ruto added that his administration is working on a transformational agenda within the public service to cater to the needs of the citizens.
“My administration is doing its best to transform the public service to accommodate all the needs of the citizens,” he explained.
Peer mentorship
President Ruto encouraged those who have completed internships and received mentorship in various fields to mentor others.
“Part of achieving success in public service, business, or politics is the ability to mentor others to be as good as or even better than yourself. Those of us who have the privilege to serve in these spheres should consider mentoring others,” the president noted.
President Ruto affirmed that his government is working to make most of its services available online for easier access by the citizens.
“90% of government services will be available online to make it easy for citizens to work with their government and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy,” he promises.
Boosting the numbers
President Ruto directed the Public Service Commission to increase the number of interns recruited under the Public Service Internship Programme to 20,000, starting with the upcoming cohort.
“I hereby direct the Public Service Commission to increase the number of recruits to 20,000 in the next cohort. Additionally, I will partner with the private sector in this internship programme and reduce tax incentives for private sectors that partner with me,” he pledged.
President Ruto desires to see the newly appointed interns take the opportunity to learn and re-energize the public service with their innovation and fresh ideas.
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Still, the ball is in the court of the interns to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities and contribute to the success of public service by applying their skills, knowledge, and innovative ideas.
