The Public Service Commission (PSC) has begun countrywide interviews for the 8th Cohort of the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP), targeting 7,000 unemployed university graduates.

The selection process started on Monday, December 1, 2025, for the 13,117 candidates shortlisted from a total of 35,659 applicants.

The interviews are scheduled to run for a week, closing on December 6, 2025. Successful candidates will be deployed in January 2026 to government ministries, state departments, and agencies to begin their one-year paid internship programme.

To reach candidates across the country, the commission has set up teams at 13 regional centres. These centres cover Western, Nyanza, Coast, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Eastern, Nairobi, and Central regions. This approach ensures that candidates from all corners of the country can attend their interviews without significant travel challenges.

The commission emphasises that the recruitment process reflects its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. By reaching out to all regions, it ensures that the internship programme represents the face of Kenya.

The PSIP is designed to provide young Kenyans with practical work experience in the public service. It aims to improve employability, build technical skills, and deepen understanding of how government operations function, in line with Article 232 of the Constitution.

PSC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Famba, MBS, highlighted that the recruitment is carried out in line with the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, merit, and transparency, as required by the Public Service Commission Act, 2017.

Candidates advised to prepare

All shortlisted candidates have been notified through official SMS alerts. They are advised to check their Jobs Portal for detailed interview instructions. Candidates must attend in person on their scheduled date and time and bring original documents, including their National ID, academic certificates, and transcripts.

For candidates in remote areas, the Commission has made provisions for telephone interviews to ensure that geographical challenges do not prevent participation.

The PSC also cautioned applicants against fraud. The recruitment process is entirely free of charge, and candidates should not pay anyone who claims to influence their appointment into the programme.

The PSIP provides graduates with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various government sectors. Participants will engage in day-to-day operations, learning administrative, technical, and management skills that are crucial for career growth. By the end of the one-year internship, candidates are expected to have a solid understanding of public service processes, which will support their future employment prospects.

The Commission encourages all shortlisted candidates to prepare adequately for the interviews. They should present themselves confidently, with all required documents, and follow the guidelines issued in their notifications.

With this structured recruitment exercise, the PSC continues to play a key role in bridging the gap between academic training and professional experience. The programme not only addresses youth unemployment but also strengthens the capacity of the public service by equipping young graduates with practical skills.

This year’s exercise reflects the Commission’s ongoing commitment to professionalism, transparency, and equal opportunity, ensuring that the PSIP remains a credible and effective platform for Kenya’s young talent.