1. UNDERSTANDING NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE
THE PRESIDENCY
The Executive Office of the President
Directorate of National Cohesion and Values
UNDERSTANDING NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE
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2. Presentation Overview
Definition of concepts
Constitutional provisions on national values and principles of governance
National Values and Principles of Governance
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3. Definition of concepts
Values
Important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable.
National Values
National values are beliefs of a nation guiding the actions and behavior of its citizens
Principles of Governance
These are principles that oblige the state to perform its functions in a manner that promotes the general well-being of its people
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4. Background : African traditional/religious values
ATTRIBUTES
Trust
Sincerity, Friendship, Sacrifice
Culture and Ethnicity
Appreciation of culture, appreciation of cultural diversity (rejecting negative ethnicity)
Work Ethic
Hard work, Commitment
Stewardship
Environmental Conservation, Proper use of resources
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5. Background: traditional/religious values cont..
Respect for others
Respect for Authority, Human Life, Other people’s property, Religion, Tradition, Gender Equality
Altruism / Concern for others
Generosity, Selflessness, Servant Leadership, Love, Courtesy, Forgiveness, Hospitality
Family
Responsible parents, Respect for elders, Love for Children, Children as God’s Blessings
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Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance

6. Background: traditional /religious values cont..
Quality of Life Values
Safety & Security
Others
Time Consciousness, Punctuality,
Self-Control, Resourcefulness, Humility, Moderation / Temperance, Perseverance, Discipline, Excellence, Reliability
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Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance

7. What is the present situation?
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8. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
Constitutional provisions towards promotion of national values and principles of governance
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9. Constitutional provisions
PREAMBLE
RECOGNISING the aspirations of all Kenyans for a government based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law:
Article 4(2)
The Republic of Kenya shall be a multi-party democratic State founded on the national values and principles of governance referred to in Article 10.
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10. Constitutional provisions cont..
Article 234(2)(h) requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate and report to the President and Parliament on the extent to which the values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied with in the public service.
Article 249(1)(b) requires all constitutional commissions and independent offices to secure the observance of democratic values and principles by all State organs.
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11. Constitutional provisions cont..
Under Article 132(1)(c) the Constitution provides that the President shall once every year, report in an address to the nation, on all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realization of the national values, referred to in Article 10.
The President is further required to publish in the Kenya Gazette the details of the report.
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12. National Values and Principles of Governance {Article 10 (2)}
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13. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
1. Patriotism
Love, loyalty and devotion shown to one's country
It calls for one's support to the nation
Patriotism is about service to one's country
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14. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
2. National unity
Unity is the deliberate decision to work with others in pursuit of common goals.
It is a choice to work as a team in tackling the challenges Kenyans face as a nation.
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15. 3. Sharing and Devolution of Power
This is about sharing of power and resources between national and county governments.
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16. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
4. Rule of Law
A legal maxim which states that no person is above the law, and no one can be punished by the government except for a breach of the law.
Rule of law is adhered to when individuals, persons, and government submit to obey, and be regulated by law
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17. 5. Democracy and Participation of the People
Democracy is a system in which all citizens exercise direct and equal participation in the running their country affairs.
Participation is the practice of involving all people in making decisions which ensures mutual respect
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18. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
6. Human dignity
Dignity signifies that a human being has an innate right to respect and ethical treatment.
It is the idea that all humans should be treated with love / respect since they are humans regardless of class, race, gender, nationality, sex, education, religion, etc
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19. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
7. Equity
Equity is about fairness, impartiality and justice.
It refers to anything that is fair or equitable.
The quality of being reasonable and fair in decisions and actions.
In law, it is about natural justice and fair conduct.
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20. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
8. Social justice
Social justice refers to the idea of creating a society that is based on the principles of equality, human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being.
It implies fairness in the society
Social justice is about a society which gives individuals fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society
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21. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
9. Inclusiveness
Inclusiveness is a sense of belonging, feeling respected and valued for who you are.
It makes people feel valued and essential to the success of a group.
Individuals feel more valued in the general mission of their country.
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22. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
10. Equality
Equality is where all people within a group have the same status in a certain respect.
It includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting, freedom of speech, access to education, health care and other social securities
It also includes equal opportunities and obligations,
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23. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
11. Human Rights
These are rights inherent to all human beings without discrimination.
They include the right to life, equality before the law, freedom of expression, the right to work, social security, education.
Individuals should also respect the human rights of others.
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24. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
12. Non-discrimination
Refers to fairness in treating people without discrimination irrespective of their gender, ethnic, class, religious, race, geographical or even generational differences.
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25. 13. Protection of the marginalized
Being marginalized refers to being separated from the rest of the society, and not being at the centre of things.
Marginalized people are not considered to be a part of the society.
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26. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
14. Good Governance
The process of collective decision-making and the implementation of those decisions.
A term used to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights and social welfare.
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27. Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance
15. Integrity
Consistency of actions, values, principles, expectations, and outcomes.
The honesty and truthfulness of one's actions in regard to the motivation for one's actions.
The will to refuse to engage in behavior that is corrupt, morally questionable.
It calls for transparency and accountability.
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28. 16. Transparency and Accountability
Transparency is openness or lack of “hidden agendas” accompanied by availability of full information required.
Accountability is the assumption of responsibility for outcomes, both formal and informal, represented by measures of achievement.
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29. 17. Sustainable Development
A pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met in the present, and also for generations to come.
The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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30. “You cannot give what you do not have”
Conclusion
“You cannot give what you do not have”
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Understanding National Values and Principles of Governance