- The ICT Authority has opened applications for 400 paid internship slots under Cohort XI of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme.
- Applicants have been given until September 7, 2026, to apply through the official digitalentgo.ke portal.
- The programme has allocated the 400 slots across five specialisation areas, with Network and Digital Infrastructure receiving the largest share at 150 slots.
The ICT Authority has invited recent university graduates to apply for Cohort XI of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme, offering 400 paid internship slots across Kenya’s ICT sector for the 2026/2027 intake.
Interested candidates have until midnight on September 7, 2026, to submit their applications. Notably, the deadline falls on a Monday rather than the programme’s usual weekday cut-off, so applicants should note the date carefully.
The Presidential Digital Talent Programme, commonly known as DigiTalent, is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, implemented through the ICT Authority. It was designed to prepare young ICT graduates for employment by giving them structured exposure to both public and private sector environments.
Under Cohort XI, successful applicants will undergo a 12-month internship combining workplace experience, mentorship from industry professionals and career development support. The programme also aims to strengthen participants’ professional networks as they transition from campus into the job market.
The 400 positions are distributed across five specialisation areas. Network and Digital Infrastructure carries the largest share, with 150 slots, followed by Software Development and Artificial Intelligence at 100 slots. Information Security and Data Analytics have been allocated 50 slots apiece, while Multimedia, comprising Graphic Design and Digital Marketing, rounds off the intake with a further 50 positions.
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This structure mirrors the specialisation model used in earlier cohorts of the programme, which has trained thousands of ICT graduates since its launch, though the addition of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence track under Software Development reflects the growing emphasis on emerging technologies within government digital skilling efforts.
Eligibility rules for Cohort XI are fairly strict. Applicants must have graduated with First or Second-Class Honours, Upper Division, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution within the last two years, specifically from January 2024 onward. Those still awaiting graduation, with a completion date of December 2026, may still apply, provided they submit a signed and stamped recommendation or reference letter from their university confirming they are on track for First or Upper Second-Class Honours.
The programme is open to graduates in ICT, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, and closely related fields. Applicants are expected to demonstrate solid grounding in their chosen area of specialisation and may be asked to prove their technical competence before being shortlisted for interviews.
Other requirements include Kenyan citizenship, an age bracket of between 21 and 29 years and current unemployment status. Applicants must also confirm they have not previously participated in a Government of Kenya internship programme. Successful candidates should further be willing to serve in any Ministry, Department, Agency, Corporation or County Government across Kenya’s 47 counties, working full-time hours from 8 am to 5 pm.
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The ICT Authority has specifically encouraged female applicants, persons with disabilities, and graduates from arid and semi-arid land regions to apply, in line with the programme’s inclusivity goals.
All applications must be completed online through the official DigiTalent portal at digitalentgo.ke, and applicants must attach the relevant supporting documents as indicated on the form. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the Authority has confirmed that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
By Benedict Aoya
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