SURVEY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY IN UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Abstract

When the New Constitution was promulgated in 2010, the hope among Kenyans was that it would promote integrity,responsibility and accountability among State and public officers, and especially leaders at all levels. Despite the provisions of the Constitution on leadership, the number of questionable leaders seems to be on the rise. Kenya like manyother African states is at a point the citizens are feeling the effects of unethical practices like, corruption at various levels,abuse of office, murder, theft and misuse of public resources among others. It seems as though the moral fabric of societyis not only torn but rather nonexistent. At such times we are forced to ask retrogressively though, what is the values of oureducation system? Education is meant to be transformative in nature. Often, those who engage in unethical practices insociety are not the least educated, or uneducated. They are people with the best education, no wonder they employ the besttactics in siphoning and finding sophisticated means to hide the vice. The paper was guided by the following researchquestions: What is the undergraduate student understanding of leadership, governance and integrity? Does the universityleadership impart values in students by their way of operation? Does the student experience at university model themtowards being ethical leaders, good governors and persons of integrity? The core mandate of universities is not only toteach, conduct research and community service but also to impart sound social and moral values on the students. It is paramount to note that developing young leaders is an investment for the future. Helping students develop as ethicalleaders involves more than just helping them acquire skills. It is a process that involves helping them develop theirleadership identity, practice the process of leadership, and advance their intellectual and skill development. Mixedresearch methods were used. A survey was conducted using digital questionnaire with both open ended and closed endedquestions to collect data. Quantitative data collection and analysis was done using the digital google forms applicationwhile qualitative data analysis was summarized, themes generated and a narration developed that was integrated in thewrite up of the paper to enrich the quantitative findings. The findings indicate that majority of respondents have a goodunderstanding of leadership, governance and integrity. Although the findings revealed that for a vast majority ofrespondents the university experience is modelling them to persons of integrity. A good number of respondents hadconcerns on leadership and integrity in the University. The researcher recommends that universities to consider anchoringand laying emphasis on key aspects of ethical leadership, good governance and integrity in the curriculum as they trainstudents. They are to uphold and maintain best quality practices in their service delivery. This is because sustainabledevelopment is not only anchored on academic excellence but also on ethical values and the society's moral development