Ruto Announces 2027 Youth Internship Plan and Monthly Pay for 50,000 Youths From January
President William Ruto has announced plans to recruit 50,000 young Kenyans into an expanded national internship programme beginning January 2027, in a move aimed at helping graduates gain work experience and improve their chances of securing employment.
The programme is expected to target young people completing their studies at universities, colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Participants will receive monthly stipends ranging from KSh 20,000 to KSh 25,000, according to reports on the announcement.
Ruto made the announcement on Sunday, October 25, 2026, while addressing congregants at AIC Kasina Church in Mwingi town, Kitui County. He said the government intended to expand the programme gradually to accommodate more young people entering the labour market.
The President explained that the initiative would initially accommodate 50,000 interns, with the government planning to increase the number to 100,000 and eventually 200,000 within two to three years.
The expansion is intended to help young people overcome one of the major challenges facing fresh graduates: the difficulty of securing employment without previous work experience.
Under the proposed arrangement, successful participants will have an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience while receiving financial support during their internship period. The programme is expected to provide a pathway for graduates to transition from education into the professional environment.
The announcement comes amid persistent concerns over unemployment and the limited number of formal job opportunities available to Kenya's growing population of young job seekers.
Many graduates face difficulties entering the workforce because employers often require previous experience, leaving those completing their education with limited opportunities to develop the skills demanded in the workplace.
The internship programme is intended to address this challenge by giving participants an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies in practical working environments.
The government has also pursued other youth empowerment initiatives, including the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which provides business start-up support and skills development opportunities to eligible young people.
However, the internship initiative differs from business start-up funding because it focuses on workplace exposure and the transition into employment rather than providing capital for youth-owned businesses.
