New Bill offers better pay, leave days for government interns

Youths working as interns in various government offices within the national and county governments may soon be entitled to work benefits such as maternity, paternity as well as sick leave.

This is according to the recently introduced Public Service Internship Bill, 2022 which seeks to among other things improve the working conditions of interns in various public offices across the country.

The Bill, which has since received the support of a majority of members of the National Assembly, wants all interns working in government offices to be entitled to better pay and other work benefits.

The Public Service Internship Bill, 2022 which is at its second reading seeks to improve the working conditions of interns in public offices in both national and county governments.

It calls for interns engaged in public service to be entitled to sick leave as well as maternity or paternity leave for the period of their attachment.

In addition, the Bill wants the interns to be paid subsistence allowance as may be determined by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of labour.

Personal accident insurance cover to be valid for the duration of the internship period.

The proposed law has already received the support of MPs with members of the National Assembly throwing their weight behind it.

The Bill, sponsored by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, seeks to establish a legal framework regulating internship programmes in the public service sector.

MPs, during debate on the floor of the House lauded the proposed law as a progressive step towards addressing youth unemployment and providing opportunities for skill development.

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Gichugu MP Gichimu Githinji said the Bill is very progressive as it will address some of the issues that have been raised by young people of this country.

“Clause 10 provides for the stipend that should be paid to the intern. Since a stipend is very central in internship, we should have the regulations pegged on a specific time within which they should be made. I will be moving an amendment for the stipend,” he said.

Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze emphasized the importance of the Bill in addressing the high unemployment rate among graduates.

Lesuuda thanked MPs for their contributions and acknowledged the need for amendments to improve the Bill.

“The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) gives opportunities to interns as well but they do so as PSC. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) also employs and even gives opportunities to interns. They do so through their own Commission. If we have a guiding policy, we will create employment and protect the welfare of our graduates,” she said.

In addition, Lesuuda called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to reinstate the contracts of Junior Secondary School teachers who were recently suspended.

The Public Service Internship Bill, 2022 will now proceed to committee of the whole House and third reading.