HR professionals push for accountability and ethical leadership

Human Resource professionals have been challenged to champion accountability, integrity and ethical leadership as Kenya navigates growing demands for good governance and institutional reforms.

Speaking during the 12th Annual National HR Congress in Mombasa, Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) National Chairman CHRP Odero Phillip Dalmas said the HR profession must play a central role in shaping responsible institutions and strengthening workplace ethics.

The congress brought together HR practitioners, government officials, CEOs and industry leaders to discuss the future of work and human capital management in Kenya.

Addressing delegates, Dalmas said the country’s ongoing conversations around accountability and governance require HR professionals to move beyond traditional people management and focus on building ethical and disciplined institutions.

“Human capital excellence is not only about managing people, but it is also about embedding accountability, discipline and ethical leadership into the very fabric of our institutions,” he said.

Dalmas said the IHRM Council had strengthened regulation of the profession through enforcement of registration and licensing requirements under the Human Resource Management Professionals Act.

He noted that the council has also introduced policies such as Continuing Professional Development to ensure HR practitioners remain relevant in a rapidly changing workplace environment.

“The institutions that will thrive are those that invest in people, uphold integrity and lead with purpose,” he said.

The IHRM chairman described Kenya’s youthful workforce as the country’s greatest competitive advantage, saying organisations must harness the potential of young people through inclusivity, accountability and skills development.

He further challenged delegates to use the congress as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration to strengthen leadership capacity across institutions.

The annual congress is considered one of Kenya’s leading forums on human capital development, bringing together policymakers and practitioners to discuss emerging workplace trends, governance and the future of employment.