Uproar on social media after reports of intern misuse in Kenya emerge

It is basically company policy to hire interns for a period of time.

Most companies in Kenya hire interns on a three-month-long contract with the possibility of an extension or a job after it ends, suppose he\she performs exceptionally well.

However, over the years, many have questioned the role of interns in organizations and whether their treatment is same as those employed.

Today, a debate has arisen on social media under the hashtag #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden, with many contributors complaining of mistreatment of interns in many organizations.

Most of the time, interns are usually students who have come for Industrial attachment or graduates who dig deep to look for jobs and end up accepting internship offers instead.

If comments on social media are anything to go by, the treatment of Interns in Kenya is wanting, as many have lashed out at different companies over the workload given to interns with little or no pay.

Here is a sample of the ongoing debate online:

It has come to many people's attention than interns in Kenya are being misused by employers. Many employers will hire as many interns as possible so as to save on employee costs and this is very bad to the economy.#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden— Somali Pundit! (@AmedoShair) December 29, 2017

#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden Huduma Kenya @HudumaKenya accused of misusing and discriminating against interns. Kee sending messages. pic.twitter.com/0kvJX5dsQZ

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) December 29, 2017

Just had to weigh in..clinical officers undergo a one year of unpaid internship..no one cares,no one listens #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden— King of the North (@LehmanFestus) December 29, 2017

Interns of Tuskys supermarket are nothing but tools for cheap labor, the supermarket is making good profit from slavery and the government knows this #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden— Nelson Mandela (@NelsonM254) December 29, 2017

#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden
I think we should list all companies which mistreat interns and get them to apologize or we boycott.@C_NyaKundiH

— Mandela Palmah (@mandelapalmah) December 29, 2017

#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden I discontinued my internship at some NGO back in '09 because of this, an office with 5 employees including the watchie and tea lady i.e 3 permanent professionals and 7 interns. became a Dj and im grateful.— Double my Blessings (@KymoneyDj) December 29, 2017

#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden
Them companies, don't pay interns , they turn them casual workers
Working like slaves.
They should be exposed.

— Fredrick Kavoo (@fredrick_kavoo) December 29, 2017

Interns are forced to work more extra without pay in Kenya in search for a positive recommendation. #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden

— Cyrus Mwanzwii (@blessed_cyrus) December 29, 2017

Lets report those companies that mistreat interns #internsnotbeastsofburden— National Restistance Movement General. (@Jared_oMoruri) December 29, 2017

#InternsNotBeastsOfBurden
Ladies who are interns forced by their GMs to sex for them to be absorbed in the company. This should stop— Fredrick Kavoo (@fredrick_kavoo) December 29, 2017

I have heard cases where interns pay some money to these companies before they can get the internship #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden— A Karani Onsomu (@erwoti) December 29, 2017

I think the only sensible thing to do is boycott the services offered by these culprits #InternsNotBeastsOfBurden— Lord Elvis (@mykmosh) December 29, 2017