By Collins Wanzallah
The Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) has launched the 13th edition of its awards to honour organizations and individuals making a positive impact in society. The event took place at a Nairobi hotel, where ICS Chairman Joshua Wambua announced that this year, the organization will also recognize the top-performing counties in the country.
Wambua explained that the awards, known as the Champions of Governance (COG) Awards, will culminate in a gala night scheduled for November 29 in Nairobi. He also mentioned that there are advanced plans to expand the competition to other East African countries, though this will depend on the success of the Kenyan edition.
“The awards provide a platform to celebrate outstanding achievements in corporate governance, highlighting organizations and individuals making significant strides in promoting good governance practices,” said Wambua. He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to upholding the ideals of good governance, accountability, ethical leadership, and the values that guide organizations toward sustainable success.
According to Wambua, the COG Awards were established to recognize organizations that embody the principles of good governance, which are foundational to sustainable development, economic growth, and social cohesion. Since its inception, the award has become a symbol of excellence in governance practices.
Wambua emphasized that the COG Awards spotlight institutions that prioritize transparency, accountability, and integrity in their operations. He added that ICS takes pride in its role in promoting high governance standards across both the public and private sectors.
He further noted that, in addition to receiving a trophy or formal recognition, COG Award winners will gain an endorsement of governance credentials from ICS. The rigorous and thorough selection process ensures that only the most deserving organizations are honoured. Each year, ICS refines its assessment criteria to align with global governance standards and best practices.
“Our goal is to inspire more organizations to adopt strong governance frameworks that can withstand scrutiny and drive their success,” Wambua stated. He extended an invitation to potential sponsors and partners who share ICS’s vision of advancing good governance, encouraging them to support the event.
“Your financial or in-kind support will not only enhance the reach and impact of these awards but also help us continue to raise the bar for governance excellence in Kenya and beyond,” Wambua concluded, noting that the involvement of sponsors and partners will be key to ensuring the success of this year’s COG Awards.
