The ICT Authority has launched applications for the eleventh cohort of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme, offering 400 internship positions for recent Kenyan graduates.

This 12-month internship spans five critical ICT areas:

  • Network and Digital Infrastructure
  • Software Development and Artificial Intelligence
  • Information Security
  • Data Analytics
  • Multimedia and Digital Marketing

Applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged between 21 and 29 years, possess a First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree obtained within the last two years, be unemployed, and have never participated in a government internship program. The application deadline is midnight on September 7, 2026.

The programme aims to bridge the gap between the high number of ICT graduates and limited formal job opportunities by providing structured exposure to both public and private sector environments. Participants receive mentorship and the chance to build professional portfolios, enhancing their competitiveness for entry-level roles.

Since its inception in 2014 under President Uhuru Kenyatta, DigiTalent has supported over 2,100 interns through various cohorts, many of whom have secured formal employment or ventured into entrepreneurship. Notably, this cohort includes Artificial Intelligence alongside traditional software development, reflecting the evolving industry landscape.

However, challenges remain. A 2025 labour case revealed that out of approximately 25,000 programme beneficiaries, fewer than 2,000 transitioned into permanent government positions. Critics argue this suggests the internship often functions as a temporary placement rather than a direct pathway to stable employment.

Kenya currently lacks legislation regulating internship conditions and stipends, resulting in varied experiences depending on the host institution. Additionally, the number of available government internship slots is limited compared to the scale of graduate unemployment, meaning many qualified applicants cannot be absorbed despite demand.

Despite these issues, the programme’s goal to cultivate a skilled ICT workforce that enhances public service delivery while providing invaluable workplace experience remains a crucial priority.