To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Theme: Integrating Principles of Corporate Governance into The Values System of Leaders in Kenya
Date: 16th to 20th March 2026
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Hotel & Spa Mombasa
INTRODUCTION
Corporate governance is a system of rules, policies, and practices that dictate how a company’s board of directors manages and oversees the operations of a company. Corporate governance includes principles of transparency, accountability, and security. Poor corporate governance, at best, leads to a company failing to achieve its stated goals, and, at worst, can lead to the collapse of the company and significant financial losses for shareholders.
Perhaps one of the most important principles of corporate governance is the recognition of shareholders. The recognition is two-fold. First, there is the basic recognition of the importance of shareholders to any company – people who buy the company’s stock fund its operations. Equity is one of the major sources of funding for businesses. Second, from the basic recognition of shareholder importance follows the principle of responsibility to shareholders. The policy of allowing shareholders to elect a board of directors is critical. This means that shareholders, effectively, have a direct say in how a company is run.
Shareholder interest is a major part of corporate governance. Shareholders may reach out to the members of the community who don’t necessarily hold an interest in the company but who can nonetheless benefit from its goods or services. Reaching out to the members of the community encourages lines of communication that promote company transparency. It means that all members of the community – those who are directly or indirectly affected by the company – and members of the press get a clear sense of the company’s goals, tactics, and how it is doing in general. Transparency means that anyone, whether inside or outside the company, can choose to review and verify the company’s actions. This fosters trust and is likely to encourage more individuals to patronize the company and possibly become shareholders as well.
An increasingly important aspect of corporate governance is security. Shareholders and customers/clients need to feel confident that their personal information is not being leaked or accessed by unauthorized users. It’s equally important to ensure that the company’s proprietary processes and trade secrets are secure. A data breach is not just very expensive. It also weakens public trust in the company, which can have a drastically negative effect on its stock price. Losing investor trust means losing access to capital that is necessary for corporate growth. Everyone in a company, from entry-level staffers to members of the board, needs to be well-versed in corporate security procedures such as passwords and authentication methods.
Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to lead, influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. Throughout history, great leaders have emerged with leadership styles in providing direction, implementing plans and motivating people. These can be broadly grouped into 5 different categories such as Authoritarian Leadership, Participative Leadership, Delegative Leadership, Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership. Despite these definitions, most leaders still struggle with the meaning of each leadership style mentioned above, the difference between each leadership approach as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each style. This conference will explore each of these styles and provide an avenue for leaders to discuss on the best approach to take in leading their teams.
All leadership styles serve a purpose depending on the situation, type of organization or industry, and the personalities of the leadership and employees involved. The best approach is to become familiar with all leadership styles and understand the applications of each style. You will likely have a default style of leadership that you naturally exhibit or turn to. However, it is important that you are flexible in how you lead others. To understand when to employ each type of leadership style it is essential to develop your ability to diagnose needs, communicate effectively, and be flexible in how you make decisions and interact with others.
Leadership in business is the capacity of a company’s management to set and achieve challenging goals, take fast and decisive action when needed, outperform the competition, and inspire others to perform at their highest levels. Leadership also speaks to a more holistic approach, such as the tone of an organization or the culture that management establishes. Individuals with strong leadership skills in the business world often rise to executive positions.
Effective leadership includes exhibiting a strong character. Leaders exhibit honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and ethics. Leaders act in line with how they speak and earn the right to be responsible for others’ success in the organization. Strong leadership involves clear communication skills. Leaders speak with and listen to staff members, respond to questions and concerns, and are empathetic. Leaders use effective communication skills for moving the company forward and achieving new levels of success.
Values refer to beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable. They are standards of conduct, efficiency or worth which a society endorses, maintains and even transmits to her members. Principles of Governance are normative principles that guide the state to perform its functions in a manner that promotes the general wellbeing of its people.
National Values and Principles of Governance are fundamental beliefs or ideals that guide the choices, actions and behaviour of a nation. They are critical in building national identity and national character that guides the realization of national development. In addition, National Values exert influence on the way individuals relate with one another, how communities engage one another and how citizens and government interact to promote peace, national unity and cohesion.
National Values and Principles of Governance are key in managing diversity and building national social capital that surpasses ethnic, religious, class and racial limitations. They cultivate internal social and cultural coherence which are based on national norms and interests that govern interactions focused on achieving national common good. It is because of the central role of values in organising, inspiring, transforming, and guiding Kenyans that they are enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution. The National Values and Principles of Governance facilitate the building of bridges among communities, ethnic, religious, and racial traditions and establish constitutionalism that binds and integrates Kenyans into a unitary nation-state. They provide opportunities to individuals and groups to pursue freedoms and happiness in a diverse society and a firmly united nation.
This Conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss issues and challenges as well as dwell on topical areas such as:
 FINANCIAL COMMITMENT:
| Category | Charges Physical |
| Associate Members | Kes 54,000 per Delegate |
| Full Members | Kes. 59,000 per Delegate |
| Non-Member | Kes. 64,000 per Delegate |
| Accommodation | Delegates are advised to make own travel and accommodation arrangements |
**Charges will cater for daytime meals, conference giveaways, learning materials, and certificates of attendance.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS
Members of ICPAK and other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 Structured CPD points upon successfully attending the Governance and Leadership Conference.
NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AUTHORITY (NITA) REIMBURSEMENT
The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Governance and Leadership Conference attracts over 200 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors presenting a rare chance for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com. Other requests for information can be channelled to us via telephone on +254 719 074 100/129.
Further requests can be channeled to us via telephone calls on, +254 719 074 100, or via email to marketing@icpak.com
We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Conference.
To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.
