President William Ruto has announced plans to create an additional 50,000 internship placements from January 2027, alongside proposed tax relief measures targeting low-income workers, property buyers and mobile phone users. The proposals, announced during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, are intended to ease the cost of living, expand employment opportunities and improve access to digital technology. The planned expansion of the National Internship Programme is expected to benefit graduates from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and other colleges seeking practical experience to enter the labour market.
Government Plans 50,000 Additional Internship Opportunities
Ruto said the government would expand the National Internship Programme by 50,000 placements beginning January 2027. Successful applicants would receive monthly stipends, with recruitment conducted through a transparent, digital and merit-based system.
The President also announced plans to introduce incentives for private-sector employers to provide young people with meaningful work experience. He said the programme would help address a longstanding challenge facing graduates who struggle to secure jobs because they lack experience, while finding it difficult to gain that experience without employment.
The proposed expansion could create additional opportunities for graduates to develop workplace competencies, build professional networks and strengthen their prospects of securing permanent employment. For TVET graduates, placements could also provide an opportunity to apply practical competencies acquired during training in real working environments.
However, details on eligibility, application procedures, participating institutions and the distribution of the additional placements are yet to be outlined in the announcement.
Four Proposed Measures Target Cost of Living
The President outlined four proposed measures aimed at reducing costs for households and expanding economic opportunities.
- PAYE relief: Workers earning Sh32,333 or less per month would be exempted from Pay-As-You-Earn income tax under the proposal.
- Lower property transaction costs: Stamp duty would be waived on land transactions valued at Sh1 million or less, with progressive rates proposed for higher-value transactions.
- Cheaper mobile phones: The government plans to remove the 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones, subject to the necessary legal and regional customs processes.
- More internship placements: An additional 50,000 opportunities would be introduced under the National Internship Programme from January 2027.
Ruto said the National Treasury had prepared proposals relating to the tax and stamp duty measures and that he had directed the ministry to present them to Parliament. The proposals will require the relevant legislative, fiscal and administrative processes before implementation.
Mobile Phone Tax Proposal Targets Digital Access
Ruto described mobile phones as essential tools for education, business, banking and employment rather than luxury items. He said removing the proposed 25 per cent import duty would help make the devices more affordable, potentially widening access to digital services and economic opportunities.
Affordable digital devices are particularly important for young people seeking jobs, accessing online training, applying for scholarships and participating in digital work. For Kenya’s TVET sector, improved access to mobile technology could also support online learning, digital skills development and access to employment information. The government, however, will need to complete the necessary legal and regional customs procedures before the proposed duty removal can take effect.
Government Sets Employment Targets
The President outlined ambitious employment targets for the next three years, saying the government intended to expand digital employment opportunities to two million, increase international labour opportunities to one million and generate a further two million employment opportunities through housing and related investments.
He also cited ongoing construction under the Affordable Housing Programme, which he said had 303,000 homes at various stages of development. According to the President, the programme, together with more than 450 modern markets and student accommodation facilities intended to serve 180,000 students, had generated more than 1.1 million employment opportunities in construction and related industries.
The projects are expected to support jobs across several sectors, including construction, electrical installation, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, transport and other technical trades. These sectors offer potential opportunities for workers with vocational qualifications and practical experience, although the availability of individual jobs will depend on project requirements and recruitment.
Infrastructure Projects Expected to Support Economic Activity
Ruto also highlighted infrastructure investments, including the planned upgrading of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway, extension of the Standard Gauge Railway towards Kisumu and Malaba, development of the Isiolo–Mandera Corridor and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
He said the projects were intended to improve transport connectivity, reduce logistics costs, strengthen regional trade and connect more communities to economic opportunities. The President further said oil exports from the Lake Turkana basin were targeted to begin in December, while noting that private investors had acquired a 25 per cent stake in Kenya Pipeline Company from public entities.
The timing and economic impact of these initiatives will depend on their implementation and the progress of the respective projects.
What the Internship Expansion Means for Graduates
The proposed additional 50,000 internship placements could provide a significant opportunity for young Kenyans transitioning from education to employment. University graduates, TVET trainees and college leavers should monitor official government communication for details on the programme’s eligibility requirements, application dates, participating institutions and stipend arrangements.
Graduates can also strengthen their readiness by preparing updated CVs, organising academic and professional certificates, building digital skills and seeking relevant industrial attachments or volunteer experience. For TVET graduates in particular, documenting practical projects, workshop experience and occupational competencies may help demonstrate readiness for workplace placements.
The proposed expansion is part of the government’s wider employment agenda, but its impact will depend on transparent recruitment, adequate financing and the quality of experience provided to participating young people.