National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has firmly restated the government’s position that Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns must serve the full two-year contract term before they can be confirmed into permanent and pensionable employment.
Speaking during a live interview on local televion, Mbadi said the directive was already made by President William Ruto and is the guiding policy for all government departments.
He clarified that the National Treasury has planned the confirmation of JSS interns in the 2026/2027 financial year, aligning with the two-year service requirement.
“The stand is clear—serve for two years, and then get confirmed,” Mbadi affirmed, shutting down ongoing debates about early confirmation.
Responding to widespread concerns over the low monthly stipend of Ksh 17,000, Mbadi admitted the amount is insufficient, especially for graduates handling heavy workloads.
However, he urged interns to appreciate the opportunity they currently have, arguing that income disparities exist across the country.
He noted that while some Kenyans earn up to Ksh 1 million, others—including degree holders such as medical graduates—remain unemployed for years.
ALSO READ:
No Respect, No Future: The effect of community perpetual disrespect for teachers
“People cannot be the same. At least you are earning something,” he said, encouraging interns to value the little they receive as they wait for policy processes to unfold.
In a development that may heighten tensions within the education sector, Mbadi contradicted earlier claims by Education officials that they had already forwarded a funding request to the Treasury for the teachers’ confirmation.
He stated that the Treasury has not received any requisition from the Ministry of Education regarding the matter.
“If the Ministry had submitted a formal request and received approval from policymakers, I would have sourced funds the same way I did for lecturers,” he said, referencing the government’s recent intervention in financing university staff.
Mbadi’s revelation now raises fresh questions about coordination and communication between ministries, especially at a time when JSS interns have expressed frustration over what they perceive as mixed signals from government offices.
The CS maintained that, as things stand, the policy path is well-defined and should not be a subject of speculation.
He urged JSS interns to remain patient and continue serving as the government works toward eventual confirmation.
By Mutuku Kimwele
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
