President William Ruto has officially welcomed 5,500 graduate interns into Kenya’s Affordable Housing Internship Programme, describing the initiative as a key step in linking education with practical employment opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sectors. The event took place at State House, Nairobi, where the President interacted directly with the interns recruited under the programme.
The interns will gain hands-on experience across various professional disciplines, including engineering, architecture, planning, surveying, ICT, finance, environment, and construction management. Each participant will be deployed to ongoing affordable housing project sites nationwide, applying academic knowledge to real-world projects under mentorship from experienced professionals.
The programme is led by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and supported by the Public Service Commission, which oversaw the nationwide recruitment process for university and technical education graduates. Participants will receive guidance, mentorship, and in some cases, stipends to support their work on the projects. Corporate partners, including Safaricom PLC, are assisting by providing airtime and data to interns to ensure smooth communication during placements.
President Ruto emphasised that the internship programme is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen Kenya’s construction sector, create meaningful career pathways for young professionals, and address unemployment by equipping graduates with practical skills. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with Kenya’s national housing agenda and long-term economic development plans.
The Affordable Housing Programme remains one of the government’s flagship projects, aiming to tackle the housing deficit while simultaneously building the next generation of skilled professionals in the building and construction industries. By embedding interns in active housing sites, the programme ensures that graduates gain the practical knowledge and exposure necessary to excel in their respective fields.
By Amos Murumba
