MP Naisula Lesuuda wants interns in Gov't agencies paid salaries, allowed leave days

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda is now seeking to have interns attached to government ministries and institutions offered monthly stipends and insurance cover for personal accidents.

Through the Public Service Internship Bill, 2022, Lesuuda holds that interns contribute to the manpower of the organisation by offering their professional skills as apprentices.

The Bill by Lesuuda, which is due for the First Reading, seeks to regulate internship programmes for college and university graduates within the public service.

“An intern engaged in the public service shall be eligible for payment of such monthly stipend as the Cabinet Secretary shall prescribe in regulations,” the Bill reads.

“The personal accident insurance cover shall be valid for the duration of the internship period,” the proposed law adds.

In addition to the stipends, Lesuuda wants interns engaged in the public service be entitled to sick leave as well as maternity or paternity leave for the period of their attachment.

The Samburu West MP, in her Bill, is further pushing to have interns paid subsistence allowance as may be determined by the Labour CS from time to time.

The Bill outlines that an internship period shall not exceed 12 months, and that the lot will not be eligible for any pension or gratuity.

The proposed law also sets that an internship may be terminated on grounds of a 24-hour absence without permission or any reasonable cause.

Internships will also be terminated on grounds of gross or disorderly conduct; unsatisfactory performance; failure to obey any lawful instructions or commission of a criminal offence.

It also gives room for interns to terminate their engagements with the referenced institution through a 30-day notice in writing to the person in charge.

The proposed law will apply to unemployed graduates who require hands-on experience to improve their chances of employment, graduates seeking professional registration, and Technical and internship

In the new rules, heads of public service institutions will be required to advertise the opportunities in the entity’s website and in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation.

“The advertisement shall contain all relevant information pertaining to the areas of specialisation required, total number of interns required, and duration of the internship,” reads the bill.

Lesuuda also wants all state agencies compelled to set up internship management committees, plan and budget for internship programmes, conduct interns recruitment on basis of merit, and provide necessary facilities for the learners.

“Article 55 of the Constitution provides that the State shall take measures, including affirmative action, to ensure that the youth have access to relevant education, training and employment,” the MP says in the bill.

State agencies would also be required to pay the prescribed stipends to interns, appoint for them supervisors and mentors, and also issue certificates to those who complete the programmes.

Persons who have retired from formal employment on attaining retirement age as well as those who have been removed or have resigned are not eligible for internship placements.