PRESIDENT RUTO UNVEILS 4,000 PAID INTERNSHIPS UNDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMME

President William Ruto has announced the rollout of 4,000 paid internships under the government’s flagship Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), targeting recent university graduates in the built environment sector. The initiative aims to equip young professionals with practical industry experience while supporting the ongoing housing development agenda.
Speaking at a government event in Nairobi, President Ruto said the internship program is part of his administration’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for Kenyan youth while addressing the country’s housing deficit.
“This initiative will not only provide our graduates with hands-on training and mentorship from professionals, but it will also drive the construction of decent, affordable homes for millions of Kenyans,” said the President.
The internship will run for 12 months, with each intern attached to AHP projects across the country under the supervision of registered professionals in fields such as architecture, engineering, quantity surveying, and construction management. Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend in line with the Public Service Commission (PSC) guidelines and a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development revealed that the program will ultimately scale to accommodate 10,000 interns in future phases. This aligns with the government’s broader vision of constructing 200,000 housing units annually and creating over 500,000 jobs by 2027.
Since its inception, the Affordable Housing Programme has already generated over 120,000 jobs nationwide, according to official statistics.
Interested graduates were advised to apply through the State Department’s online portal, though some applicants have expressed frustration over technical glitches and delayed reporting dates.
Despite the challenges, many young professionals view the internship as a rare and valuable opportunity to kick-start their careers in a highly competitive job market.