The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged Human resource managers to play a more proactive role in fostering integrity, openness, and accountability inside their firms, seeing HR as a crucial line of defense against corruption.
Speaking at the workshop on Ethics in Human Resource Management in Mombasa, Commissioner Dr. Cecilia Mutuku stressed the importance of ethical leadership within HR functions in improving corruption prevention efforts across both public and private sector organizations.
The training, jointly organized by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), aims to enhance the integration of corruption prevention strategies into HR practices while fostering a culture of integrity in organizational systems.
Strengthening Ethical Capacity in HR
Dr. Mutuku stated that continuing professional development is a critical component in providing HR practitioners with the skills and competences needed to negotiate difficult ethical problems in the workplace.
She emphasized the increased expectation of HR professionals to serve as stewards of ethical norms, ensuring that recruiting, promotions, and disciplinary processes are performed fairly and transparently.
She went on to state that HR departments have a strategic role within firms, helping to shape institutional culture and enforce compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Collaboration Between EACC and IHRM
Also in attendance was Quresha Abdullahi, Executive Director of the Institute of Human Resource Management, who reiterated the organization’s dedication to fostering ethical competence among HR specialists.
She emphasized the need of organized training programs in bolstering resistance to unethical behavior, especially in delicate HR tasks including recruiting, performance management, and employee relations.
The collaboration between EACC and IHRM reflects a broader institutional effort to mainstream integrity and accountability within organizational systems, aligning professional standards with national anti-corruption goals.
Integrity Key to Institutional Credibility
Vincent Okongo, Director for Preventive Services and the Chief Executive Officer of the EACC, emphasized the significance of integrating ethical standards within HR frameworks. He pointed out that establishing trustworthy organizations and providing efficient public and private sector services depend on honesty in human resource management.
Favoritism and irregular hiring procedures are examples of unethical HR practices that erode public confidence and impair company effectiveness, according to Okongo.
Interactive Learning and Practical Frameworks
The training has brought together HR practitioners from diverse sectors, providing a platform to exchange experiences and address emerging ethical challenges in the profession. Facilitated by experts from both EACC and IHRM, the sessions incorporate case studies, group discussions, and interactive learning approaches designed to enhance practical application.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the development of a community of HR professionals committed to upholding ethical standards and advancing integrity in the workplace.
By reinforcing the role of HR as a strategic driver of organizational ethics, the training positions human resource practitioners at the center of Kenya’s broader anti-corruption agenda, with long-term implications for governance, institutional trust, and service delivery.
