Power is a public trust
Authority given to a State officer is a public trust. It must be used in a way that respects the people, brings honour to the office and builds confidence in its integrity. It gives the officer the responsibility to serve the people, not the power to rule them.
The guiding principles
- Selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and suitability, or election in free and fair elections.
- Objectivity and impartiality: decisions not influenced by nepotism, favouritism or corruption.
- Selfless service in the public interest, including honesty and declaring any personal interest that may conflict with public duties.
- Accountability to the public for decisions and actions.
- Discipline and commitment in service to the people.
Some specific rules
- A gift to a State officer on a public or official occasion belongs to the Republic.
- A State officer may not keep a bank account outside Kenya except as an Act allows, or accept a personal loan or benefit that compromises their integrity.
- A full-time State officer may not have other paid employment.
- A State officer must be a citizen of Kenya, and may not hold dual citizenship, with narrow exceptions.