Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) signed on to the “Code of Ethics for Business in Kenya”, and announced plans to adopt a Self-Regulatory Framework and Conduct Standards for member banks during the KBA Annual General Meeting to be held in June 2016.
KBA Chief Executive Officer, Habil Olaka said
“In the wake of the current financial situation, the strengthening of consumer protection and wining back consumer trust is paramount, KBA has taken this proactive approach. It will seek to cultivate a culture of governance and transparency in the banking industry and safeguard the interests of customers, investors, suppliers and all other stakeholders. As KBA, we are committing to establish specific ethical standards and requirements that our members must adhere to and that are tied to the private sector ‘Code of Ethics’.”
He added that KBA members also recognize this need to step up and ensure that they enhance banking practices and governance standards.
Our members also have unanimously agreed that we need to work collaboratively and keep each other accountable. We therefore are pleased to have their full support, and look forward to finalising the framework, he continued.
KBA now joins other institutions and companies in signing onto the private sector Code of Ethics that seeks to enhance an organisation’s ethical standards and business conduct. KBA will lead the adoption of the standards across its member banks.
According to KEPSA, each institution has the moral responsibility to ensure that its operations remain above board. The execution of this role lies in the hands of both the management and board of directors of each institution.
“Each sector of the economy has different dynamics, we need to build up and strengthen institutions within each of these sectors to play a more decisive role in promoting corporate governance and accountability. For the process to be sustainable, each sector needs to be self-regulating, a role that can only be played by private sector bodies. Professional associations and business member organizations understand the sector-specific needs of their industry better and are therefore best placed to monitor the implementation of the Code of Ethics in accordance with established corporate governance standards,”
KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki said.
KBA Chairman Joshua Oigara earlier acknowledged the role of the industry and commended the Association for taking the necessary steps to reclaim confidence in the industry.
The “Code of Ethics for Business in Kenya” is an initiative by the business community in Kenya to promote and enhance the ethics of business conduct. The code was developed under the United Nations Global Compact which asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption. The Code was developed and domesticated by the Global Compact Network Kenya, which is hosted by KAM.
“The business environment today demands greater corporate accountability and transparency. We commend KBA for taking this step and committing to lead a culture change among its members. It is indeed through joining hands as the business community in Kenya that we can create long-term value for our businesses and society at large,”
said by Global Compact Network Kenya Representative and KAM Chief Executive Phyllis Wakiaga.
Habil Olaka said that the Association will work closely with key partners to introduce requirements that are tied to the “Code of Ethics,” which was developed on behalf of the private sector by Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Global Compact Network Kenya, and Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), and has been endorsed by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta as a key intervention towards addressing corruption and unethical practices within the government and private sector.
