PCS MUDAVADI CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND HONESTY TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST
PCS MUDAVADI CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND HONESTY TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST
THURSDAY, 22ND OCTOBER, 2026
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has called on governments, public institutions and international organisations to uphold honesty, accountability and fairness, saying public trust must be earned through action rather than promises.
Speaking during the Trust Summit 2026: Nairobi Dialogue on Global Trust, Mudavadi said trust was fundamental to institutional legitimacy, economic prosperity and international cooperation in an increasingly complex global environment.
“We cannot demand that people believe us; we must give them reasons to do so. We cannot legislate trust; we can practise the honesty, fairness and accountability from which it grows,” Mudavadi said.
He challenged leaders to ensure the summit delivers concrete commitments, measurable outcomes and mechanisms for monitoring implementation, warning against allowing discussions and declarations to remain unfulfilled promises.
Mudavadi emphasised that trust grows when institutions honour commitments, acknowledge mistakes and take corrective action. He cautioned that public confidence should never be used as a substitute for accountability or as a reason to avoid scrutiny.
Cs Mudavadi has highlighted the importance of strengthening accountability mechanisms, including parliamentary oversight, media scrutiny and citizens’ participation in governance.
“The strongest institutions are not those that ask people to trust them blindly, but those that inspire confidence through their conduct while remaining transparent, answerable and open to scrutiny,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also raised concerns over misinformation and deliberate disinformation on digital platforms, noting that false information can undermine public confidence and damage reputations before facts are established. He called for responsible communication while recognising social media’s role in expanding public participation.
On science and technology, Mudavadi stressed that public confidence depends not only on scientific advances but also on whether citizens perceive research and innovation as fair, accessible and beneficial to their lives.
He further called for greater involvement of religious, cultural and traditional leaders in rebuilding trust, noting that values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and compassion are cultivated within families and strengthened in schools, communities and public institutions.
On multilateral cooperation, Mudavadi said international institutions must demonstrate fairness, inclusivity and tangible results to retain legitimacy. He cited Africa’s lack of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as a representation gap, calling for reforms consistent with the African Union’s Common African Position.
The summit’s wider discussions have similarly underscored the need to translate accountability into practical results. Principal Secretary State Department for Foreign Affairs Dr. A. Korir Sing’Oei has described the gathering as a necessity, while discussions involving regulatory institutions have highlighted transparency, integrity, public participation and responsive service delivery as essential to rebuilding confidence.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism, noting that challenges such as climate change, peace and security, public health, trade and technological change require collective action.
He urged participants to ensure the Nairobi Dialogue produces lasting commitments that strengthen relationships between citizens and institutions.
“It is my wish that Nairobi be remembered not simply as the place where the world discussed trust, but as the place where we strengthened our resolve to become more trustworthy,” he said, before officially declaring the summit open.
Ends.