Do I get paid during industrial attachment?

There is no legal requirement for companies to pay attachment students in Kenya. Some offer a stipend covering transport and lunch. Others pay nothing. A few larger companies and NGOs pay a meaningful monthly amount. Ask during the application process so you can plan your finances.

Can I do attachment at a company outside Kenya?

Some universities allow it, but you need written approval from your department. The logistics are more complex: work permits, travel, and supervision become your responsibility. Most students attach locally unless they have a specific opportunity abroad.

What happens if I cannot find an attachment placement?

Talk to your department coordinator immediately. Some universities maintain a list of partner companies or can assign you a placement. Waiting until the deadline passes and then reporting that you could not find one may delay your graduation.

How is attachment graded?

Grading varies by university, but it typically combines your logbook, the supervisor evaluation, and your written report. Some departments also require a presentation. Treat it like any other course unit because it counts toward your final grade.

Industrial attachment in Kenya explained: when it happens, how to find one, what to expect | Campus

Industrial attachment in Kenya explained: when it happens, how to find one, what to expect

Industrial attachment is a mandatory work placement built into most Kenyan degree programmes. It typically happens in your third year, lasts eight to twelve weeks, and requires a logbook and supervisor report. Some universities assign placements. Others expect you to find your own. Either way, start searching at least a semester early because good slots fill fast.

What industrial attachment actually is

Industrial attachment is a formal requirement in most Kenyan university curricula. You spend eight to twelve weeks working at a company in your field, keeping a logbook of daily activities, and submitting a report to your department afterward. It carries academic credit, meaning it affects your degree classification.

The purpose is simple: get you out of the lecture hall and into a real workplace before you graduate. Whether it achieves that depends on the company you end up at and how seriously you treat the experience.

Attachment is not an internship. The two serve different purposes. Attachment is mandatory and tied to your degree. An internship is voluntary and tied to your career ambitions.

When attachment happens in your degree

Most programmes schedule attachment during the long break between second and third year, or between third and fourth year. Engineering and science degrees often place it earlier than business or IT programmes.

Your department will announce the attachment period in advance, usually a semester before. Pay attention to these announcements. Missing the window means delaying your graduation.

Some universities run attachment in specific months (typically May to August or January to March). Others are more flexible. Check your programme handbook or ask your department coordinator for the exact timeline.

How to find an attachment placement

Some universities assign you to a company. Most do not. If you are expected to find your own, here is how:

Start early. Begin looking at least four months before your attachment period. Good placements fill fast, especially at well-known companies. Waiting until the last month means scrambling for whatever is left.

Write a proper application. You need an attachment cover letter and your CV. Keep both to one page. Address them to a specific person if possible, not "To Whom It May Concern."

Use every channel. Company career pages, LinkedIn, university notice boards, WhatsApp groups for your course, and direct emails to companies you admire. Ask lecturers too. Many have industry contacts and can make introductions.

Target companies where you will learn. A small tech company where you write code is better than a large corporation where you make tea and photocopy documents. Ask previous attachment students where they went and what they actually did.

Check the list of companies that take tech interns for places that regularly accept students.

Documentation you will need

Your university will give you specific forms, but these are the standard items:

Introduction letter: from your department to the host company, confirming you are a registered student.
Acceptance letter: from the company confirming they will host you.
Logbook: a daily record of what you did. Your company supervisor signs it weekly. Your university supervisor checks it at the end.
Supervisor evaluation form: the company rates your performance, attendance, and professionalism.
Attachment report: a written report (typically 20 to 40 pages) describing the company, your role, what you learned, and your recommendations.

Start your logbook on day one. Filling it in from memory three weeks before submission produces vague entries that cost you marks.

What to expect during attachment

The first week is orientation. You will be introduced to the team, shown the systems, and given small tasks. This is normal. No company hands a student critical work on day one.

By week two or three, you should be doing real work. If you are still making tea and filing documents, speak up. Ask your supervisor for a project or task you can own. Most supervisors are happy to assign work if you ask. They just assume quiet students are content.

Keep your phone in your pocket during work hours. Show up on time. Dress appropriately. These sound obvious, but they are the most common complaints supervisors have about attachment students.

If things go well, your attachment can turn into a job offer. Treat it as an extended interview. The company is watching how you work, not just what you know.

What to do this week

Check with your department coordinator for your exact attachment dates and required documentation.
Start searching for a placement at least four months before the attachment period begins.
Prepare your attachment cover letter and CV now, even if the dates are far off.
Ask a third-year or fourth-year student where they attached and whether they would recommend the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid during industrial attachment?: There is no legal requirement for companies to pay attachment students in Kenya. Some offer a stipend covering transport and lunch. Others pay nothing. A few larger companies and NGOs pay a meaningful monthly amount. Ask during the application process so you can plan your finances.
Can I do attachment at a company outside Kenya?: Some universities allow it, but you need written approval from your department. The logistics are more complex: work permits, travel, and supervision become your responsibility. Most students attach locally unless they have a specific opportunity abroad.
What happens if I cannot find an attachment placement?: Talk to your department coordinator immediately. Some universities maintain a list of partner companies or can assign you a placement. Waiting until the deadline passes and then reporting that you could not find one may delay your graduation.
How is attachment graded?: Grading varies by university, but it typically combines your logbook, the supervisor evaluation, and your written report. Some departments also require a presentation. Treat it like any other course unit because it counts toward your final grade.