Responsible Leadership

iii. is consistent with the purpose and objects of this Constitution;

iii. demonstrates respect for the people;

iii. brings honour to the nation and dignity to the office ; and

iv. promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office ; and

b) vests in that State officer the responsibility to serve the people,
rather than the power to rule them.’

The guiding principles of leadership and integrity include :

a) selection on the basis of integrity, competence and suitability, or
election in free and fair elections

b) objectivity and impartiality in decision making and in ensuring
that decisions are not influenced by nepotism, favouritism or
other improper motives

c) selfless service based solely on the public interest, demonstrated
by –
ii. honesty in the execution of public duties; and
ii. the declaration of personal interest that may conflict with
public duties

d) accountability to the public for decisions and actions

e) discipline and commitment in service to the people’

It can therefore be seen that despite other contentious provisions
of the Draft Constitution, Kenyans already have expressed how they
can conduct themselves responsibly and what they expect from their
leaders with regard to responsibility and accountability.

Conclusion

In the foregoing discussion we have established that responsible
political leadership should be a concern not only of the leaders, but of
all citizens — both the leaders and the led. It is from the led that the
leadership gets their legitimacy and to whom they are accountable.
Responsible leadership can only be practised and checked only in a
democratic environment. It is therefore of paramount importance to
have a vibrant citizenry able to monitor the performance of their lead-
ers. The citizens should strive to zealously exercise, demand and pro-
tect their rights. At the same time, political leaders should endeavour
to know what their citizens expect from them. They should always
consider the welfare of citizens as their priority while in elective posi-
tions. We have also observed that responsibility is a moral issue and
therefore we should revisit the question of what we consider to be our

A Kenyan Perspective 273