How to Get a Paid Internship in Kenya (Even Without Connections)

7 min read · March 2025

The idea that internships are only for those with relatives at the right companies is partly true — and partly an excuse. While networks help, there's a structured approach to getting paid internships in Kenya that doesn't require knowing someone.

Where Paid Internships Are Actually Advertised

• KenyaJobs Internships section — Browse current internships updated daily.
• LinkedIn — Filter for "Internship" job type and Kenya location. Set up alerts for your field.
• Company career pages directly — Large employers like Safaricom, Equity Bank, Kenya Airways, KPMG, and Deloitte post internships on their own websites, often before aggregators pick them up.
• UN Kenya internship portal — UN agencies post internships for Kenyan students regularly. These are competitive but pay a stipend.
• Your university careers office — Often underused. Many companies recruit exclusively through direct university partnerships.

The Cold Outreach Method

Most internships are never advertised. Companies hire interns when someone impressive asks at the right time. The method: identify 20 companies you'd genuinely want to work at, find the LinkedIn profile of the department head or HR contact, and send a brief, specific message.

Template: "Hi [Name], I'm a 3rd-year BCom student at [university] specialising in [field]. I've been following [company]'s work on [specific project/initiative] and would love to explore whether you have any internship opportunities in [specific department] this semester. I've attached my CV — happy to connect at your convenience."

Send this to 20 companies. You will hear back from 3–5. That's how it works.

Your Application Must Include These Things

• A single-page CV tailored to the company and role
• A cover letter that mentions one specific thing about the company (a product, a project, a value)
• Evidence of initiative: a project you built, a paper you wrote, a club you led, even a relevant side hustle
• A professional email address and a voicemail greeting on your phone — you'd be surprised how many candidates fail here

Negotiating the Internship Stipend

Many Kenyan internships start as unpaid and become paid when you push. It is entirely appropriate to ask: "Is there a stipend attached to the role, or is there flexibility to add one?" The worst answer is no. The best answer is yes, plus you've shown you understand your value.

Minimum wage in Kenya applies to employees — interns are legally separate. However, many companies do pay between KES 15,000 and KES 50,000/month for structured programmes.