The Professional integrity and Ethics Committee of APSEA was established in 2003 in response to the public outcry following a series of events that put professionalism and in particular professional integrity and ethics into question. It was mandated to investigate and address such concerns as a long-term measure. This committee addresses issues relating to ethics, codes of conduct and supporting legislation. It also consults with member associations seeking to know the legal framework and codes of conduct of each and the enforce-ability or otherwise of the same.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in collaboration with APSEA initiated programmes geared towards enhancing ethics and good corporate governance among professionals and the private sector as a corruption prevention strategy.

Formulation and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for professional associations was one of the strategies identified at a workshop under the auspices of APSEA and the then KACC in November 2006. The workshop entitled “Governance, Ethics and Integrity among Professionals”, provided a platform for participants across the professional spectrum to identify and discuss challenges that lead to poor governance and corruption in the various professional sub-sectors. Participants proposed 12 resolutions which provided a road map to addressing identified challenges.

In an effort to promote Integrity and good governance APSEA developed a vetting guidelines bill called the Selection of Candidates to the State Officers and Public Offices Bill. The bill was meant to provide a structured framework to vet persons recommended for appointment to public offices as required by Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.

The objectives for the development of the vetting framework are as follows: to entrench a system of accountable and open governance; to ensure the realization of the values and principles as enshrined within Chapters Two, Six and Thirteen of the constitution and throughout the Constitution of Kenya generally; to ensure that institutions restore integrity and public confidence and uphold human rights and the rule of law; to put in place the mechanisms that ensures that individuals adhere to relevant standards of professional conduct and to promote, protect and enhance popular participation in governance and in the development and implementation of public policy.

It was intended that the framework would be used to ensure equitable gender representation during nominations and appointments to public office. Once complete, APSEA shared this framework with relevant Constitution implementation organs in Kenya, professionals, the Kenya government and the public in general.

In an effort to fulfil this mandate, the Professional Integrity and Ethics Committee (PIEC) in 2007, partnered with the Ethics Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and launched a programme to support APSEA Corporate members to develop and where applicable, strengthen professional codes of conduct and ethics as a strategy to enhance good governance and address corruption in the delivery of professional services. This was in fulfilment of one of the resolutions made by participants drawn from across the professional spectrum during the workshop on Governance, Ethics and Integrity among Professionals, held in October, 2006 at the Kenya School of Law.

Through this partnership, A number of professional associations have benefited from the initiative:

1. The National Nurses Association of Kenya(NNAK)
2. The Kenya Society of Physiotherapists (KSP)
3. The Kenya Dental Association (KDA)
4. The Society of Radiography in Kenya (SORK)
5. The Institute of Public Secretaries in Kenya (ICPSK)
6. The Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK) and
7. The Institute of Clerk of Works in Kenya (ICWK)
8. Kenya Society of Agricultural Professionals (KESAP)
9. Insurance Institute of Kenya (IIK),
10. Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM)