Secretaries' body seeks repeal of old law to strengthen governance profession

 Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya boss Jacqueline Waihenya. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) has announced plans to repeal the Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya Act and replace it with the Certified Governance Secretaries Act to strengthen the profession’s legal framework.

Chairman Jacqueline Waihenya told the institute’s 30th annual dinner in Nairobi, “This legislative change will provide a stronger foundation for our profession.”

She said the reforms will support governance as a national and regional priority.

The institute reported progress on developing a Code of Governance for Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices and on growing its membership towards the 5,000 mark.

At the event, the Fellows Steering Committee contributed Sh2.3 million to the Governance and Ethics Hub, an eight-storey facility under construction that will anchor training and thought leadership.

The committee also unveiled a Fellows’ Charter to define roles and expectations and highlighted the Governance, Ethics, Mentorship and Internship Programme.

Waihenya congratulated new members and awardees, urging them to serve with boldness, excellence and integrity.

She credited the council, committees and secretariat led by Chief Executive Officer Jeremiah Karanja for sustaining the institute’s growth.

The dinner drew judges, regulators, professional leaders and academics, including representatives from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, the Institute of Human Resource Management and the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa.