Analysis of Ethical Conduct Aspects to Governance in Uasin Gishu County Government, Kenya

Abstract

The study examined the ethical conduct, specifically on the aspects of governance in Uasin Gishu County government, Kenya. In line with the Leadership and Integrity Act, stipulated in the Kenya Constitution assented in 2010, leaders are expected to observe certain ethical principles. However, according to an EACC survey of 2014 and 2016, the tenets of transparency, accountability and integrity have not been adhered to. The study sought to analyze the various components towards good governance in Uasin Gishu to examine the trends and patterns in the local government. The study’s objectives included: To assess the influence of integrity towards good governance in Uasin Gishu County; establish the influence of transparency towards good governance in Uasin Gishu County; and evaluate the influence of accountability towards good governance in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. The theoretical models used in the study were Utilitarianism and Kantianism models. The two explicated two different views of ethics and their application in governance. The study research design was cross sectional descriptive, whereby qualitative and quantitative methods of research were applied. Stratified sampling was employed in drawing an optimum sample of 65 participants from the target population of 210. The instruments for collecting data were Questionnaires with Likert scale questions and interview schedules. The data was then analyzed using SPSS and MS Excel. This was presented in graphs, frequency and tables. The findings indicated that some departments such as the roads and public works were not performing as well as others. Overall, the study indicated that the County officials were making progress in their compliance of ethical conduct. The study concluded that; there are more adherences to the tenets of ethics within the County government than the lack of it. However, a fair share of employees also expressed uncertainty to whether this was the case. The main research shows that there are vast return-benefits of ensuring ethical practices in government. As such, increased efforts, time, manpower, resources and budgetary appropriations are necessary to create comprehensive support systems that positively impact this subject matter (Cox, 2015). It is thus advantageous for all involved stakeholders to scale up efforts that are essential to facilitate this end-goal. Recommendations from the findings include the following: It is imperative that experts who offer ethical guidelines and benchmark compliance in the government departments be included as part and parcel of running the government offices. Checks and balances are necessary in every department. This ensures that governance with transparency, accountability and integrity is delivered. Additionally, there is a need for non-ambiguous, explicit guidelines and protocols on core ethical tenets and guidelines that need to be instilled, promoted and promulgated at every level of governance. Leaders and employees should be thoroughly vetted before being given the big responsibility of public leadership. To cap the study, ethical guidelines should be a central and front issue since it is a significant foundation for any sustainable governing body.