Assembly raises monthly stipends for Interns

College students will get a monthly stipend while undertaking their internship with various county departments.

This is after the assembly reviewed the county's internship policy.

According to the new policy document, all students - degree, diploma and certificate holders - will benefit from the pay, albeit on varying rates.

Degree holders will be paid Sh20, 000, diploma holders Sh15, 000 while certificate holders will get paid Sh10, 000.

The amendments to the policy were moved by Leader of Majority Edinald King’ori and Gatimu Ward MCA Kieru Wambui.

However, concerns have been raised by some MCAs on the sustainability of the payments, given that the county absorbs hundreds of interns. 

The concerns have been exacerbated by worries over a rising wage bill. The current wage bill stands at Sh2.1 billion annually.

Assembly Speaker Wahome Ndegwa said the payments were sustainable if the county's payroll was cleaned up.

Mr Wambui urged the Executive to ensure that the policy was not abused, and should be adopted with the spirit of empowering the interns.

The assembly also resolved that the internship period will last six months, and can only be renewed for an additional six months.

It was also agreed that no other department will have more than five interns, apart from the departments of Health and Roads.

The policy will be adopted formally in June this year.