The Public Service Commission (PSC) has public officers against the mistreatment of interns, emphasising that any form of abuse, harassment, or exploitation within government institutions is a criminal offence punishable by law.

The commission stated that interns deserve a safe, professional, and supportive working environment, adding that officers found violating these standards will face serious disciplinary and legal consequences.

Speaking on Monday, May 25, 2026, during a capacity-building workshop for the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) mentors and coaches held in Naivasha, PSC Chairperson Francis Meja addressed supervisors directly, reminding them that their role extends beyond oversight to actively protecting the young graduates placed under their care in government offices.

“As mentors and coaches, you are the first line of defence. You are obligated to create safe, respectful, and dignified environments for every intern,” he said.

He added that any abuse, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, is not just a violation of workplace ethics but also a betrayal of public trust and a punishable criminal offence.

The stern warning comes as the Commission flagged a growing number of cases of mistreatment targeting interns, raising concerns about the safety of young graduates joining government institutions through the flagship programme.

On his part, PSC Secretary and CEO Paul Famba also weighed in, urging mentors and coaches to take their responsibility seriously and genuinely invest in the career growth of interns placed under their supervision.

“Every intern placed in your institutions is waiting for someone to believe in them, guide and protect them. Your mentorship can be the difference between a broken career and a bright future,” Famba said.

A 2024 study by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) found that 42 per cent of women were first harassed as interns, with 40 per cent of all female interns in the media sector personally reporting such experiences.

Another 2024 research revealed that 57 per cent of harassers hold positions of authority, while a GeoPoll Gender Equality Report found 51 per cent of Kenyan workers have experienced workplace sexual harassment, accounting for 21 per cent of reported sexual harassment cases, highlighting growing concerns over workplace abuse in the public sector.

 However, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) states that only 10 per cent of victims formally report such incidents, with many fearing retaliation or victimisation. Concerns over intern exploitation have also persisted for years, including a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal that declared unconstitutional a Teachers Service Commission (TSC) internship programme involving 44,000 teachers who were assigned full teaching responsibilities while receiving discriminatory pay.