Private sector leaders have been urged to promote good governance, integrity and peaceful transition in the electoral process to ensure that Kenyans elect transformative leaders for the prosperity of the nation. 

During the Private Sector Roundtable event that was hosted on 4^th August 2022 in Nairobi by the Global Compact Network Kenya, speakers insisted on integrity as the number one value of good leadership while interrogating the role of the private sector in upholding good governance and integrity. 

Led by Dr Vimal Shah – Chair, Mkenya Daima Initiative, the speakers called on the business community to take practical steps to maximize their engagement during this electoral process. Other speakers at the event included Ms Judy Njino – Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya; Dr Emily Mworia – Deputy Director, Education and Public Awareness, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC); and Ms Sheila Masinde – Executive Director, Transparency International – Kenya.

In his remark, Dr Vimal noted that however important good governance is, it always boils down to the individual responsibility of every Kenyan to do what is right. He at the same time castigated the tokenism culture that has made it normal for politicians to bribe voters during the electioneering period. 

"We have been talking about Chapter 6 of the Constitution on leadership and good governance but what we really need to do is to promote that kind of leadership to come into power," noted Dr Vimal. "Truth be told, you have the power in your hands. You need to go to that polling station, you will be alone with that pen and paper but the question is; will you pick the right box? have you checked out whom you are voting for and then why you're going to do it?" He added.

Ms Judy Njino noted that businesses of all sizes, sectors and localities can make a critical contribution to peace, good governance and integrity if efforts across the entire operations are aligned to the principles of the UN Global Compact in the four key issue areas of human rights, environment, labour and anti-corruption. She added that the Sustainable Development Goals provide a holistic global framework to mobilize resources and contributions of the private sector to advance a peaceful and just society.

"We believe that today's conversation will raise the level of consciousness and ownership over issues within this country and also help us appreciate the fact that we all have a collective stake to ensure that Kenya beyond next Tuesday, continues to develop in a way that all of us are able to attain our collective prosperity as people in this country." Said Ms Njino.

Dr Mworia acknowledged the fact that the fight against corruption cannot be done by just one agency, adding that the private sector has a huge role in promoting good governance and encouraging people to elect leaders of integrity because it determines the future of the country. 

"The role of the private sector in promoting ethical conduct integrity and good governance includes promoting public-private partnership in the fight against corruption, promoting ethical business practices through workable codes of conduct, lobbying for legal and institutional reforms in the fight against corruption, mobilizing resources to support anti-corruption initiatives, promoting whistleblowing, and creating awareness among private sector networks and forums on the dangers of corruption." She said.

While delivering a presentation on how the private sector and civil society can collaborate to raise the bar on integrity and good governance, Ms Masinde pointed out that the business community loses many opportunities when bad leaders occupy public offices. "Corruption will continue to fight because you people are not bold enough to call it out beyond these walls. That's my challenge to the private sector. We really need to work together." She said.

The private sector was urged to make a clear articulation of strategic goals, defining the set goals and developing compliance approaches for maximizing impact towards good governance. The need to monitor and evaluate business impacts was also highlighted as critical measures of performance against the target on governance, ethics, integrity and other unintended risks, both positive and negative.