Ruto Addresses Plans for Affordable Housing Internship Extension and Stipend Increase

President William Ruto has outlined plans regarding the future of the Affordable Housing internship programme and potential increases in stipends for participants.

While engaging with graduate interns under the Affordable Housing Programme at State House on Friday, January 23, 2026, the President confirmed that interns currently enrolled would receive a small stipend and discussed the possibility of extending the programme once the current internships conclude.

“And today, as I roll out this programme of interns, we are going to pay a small stipend to these interns. I want to say that as we pay this stipend for them to learn and help us supervise the sites under the consulting firms, they will literally be part of your labor force,” Ruto said.

President Ruto Addresses Plans for Stipend Extension

He added that the government has agreed to increase the contribution to consulting firms from 2% to 3%, while encouraging firms to also provide a small stipend to the interns.

“So, young people, we are paying you a small stipend from our side, and we hope that consulting firms will also consider giving you a small allowance,” Ruto noted.

The President noted that the government would not dictate the exact amount, leaving it to the consulting firms to decide.

“I am not going to give you any figure. You will decide. These are people who will be working in your offices and helping you supervise your sites. Be considerate and see how you can support them, because as much as they want to learn, they also need to meet their basic expenses,” he added.

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At the same time, the Head of State addressed plans on whether there would be another Affordable Housing internship programme, saying the initiative will still proceed.

He urged the interns to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that it would help them sharpen their skills as they gain employment experience in their respective fields of expertise.

About the Affordable Housing Internship Programme

The Affordable Housing Internship Programme is a government initiative designed to provide young graduates with hands-on work experience within affordable housing projects across the country.

The programme places interns under consulting firms and project sites, where they assist in supervision, project implementation, and site operations while gaining practical skills in the construction and housing sector.

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Interns enrolled in the programme receive a stipend from the government. The initiative aims to enhance youth employability, build technical capacity, and support the delivery of the government’s Affordable Housing agenda.

Initially launched to absorb 4,000 interns, the program has recently expanded to support approximately 5,516 successful candidates.

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