This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
Published on August 29, 2021, a discussion in the National Assembly shed light on the role of CEOs in road sector agencies, sparking a debate on the importance of technical expertise versus leadership skills.
The proposed amendments to the Kenya Roads Bill, 2021, aimed to change a provision in the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, requiring CEOs of road sector agencies to hold at least a degree in civil engineering.
However, professional bodies like the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) argued that a CEO's job is more strategic than technical, requiring skills like risk mitigation, strategic communication, innovation, and emotional intelligence.
On the other hand, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) argued that road sector CEOs should be experts in civil engineering to avoid being misguided on technical matters.
But what exactly is the day-to-day role of a CEO? Do they get involved in operational tasks like reviewing road designs or preparing bills of quantity?
According to the Mwongozo Code of Governance, CEOs are responsible for overseeing the execution of the board's directions and policies to ensure desirable outcomes.
Marshall Goldsmith's book, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, highlights the importance of behavioural skills in leadership, citing examples of successful CEOs who have achieved success despite lacking technical expertise.
Kenya's roads sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in road development and improved maintenance over the last 15 years, but this success cannot be attributed to qualifications in highway engineering alone.
Professional bodies should train their members beyond technical skills and equip them for corporate leadership, focusing on skills like risk mitigation, strategic communication, innovation, emotional intelligence, and inspiring and motivating workers.
