Mudavadi calls for accountability, fairer global institutions to rebuild public confidence
PCS Mudavadi says trust must be earned through transparent governance, while Tanzania pledges faster resolution of cross-border trade disputes.
NAIROBI, Kenya (Oct 22) — Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has emphasized the need for stronger accountability, inclusive governance, and more representative international institutions in a bid to rebuild public confidence. Speaking at the Global Trust Summit in Nairobi, Mudavadi stressed that public trust in institutions is essential for their legitimacy, economic prosperity, and societal cohesion.
He warned that a loss of trust could undermine the foundations of these institutions, leading to economic decline.
Mudavadi cautioned against treating public confidence in political leaders as a substitute for accountability, citing an Afrobarometer study. The study revealed that greater trust in presidents and ruling parties often correlates with weaker support for accountability mechanisms such as parliamentary oversight, media scrutiny, and citizens' ability to hold governments accountable.
He stressed that trust and accountability must reinforce each other. A credible institution should inspire confidence through its conduct while remaining transparent, answerable, and open to scrutiny. Mudavadi pointed out that public confidence in science is also waning. According to the Wellcome Global Monitor 2026, the proportion of people who believe that most people in their country benefit from science has dropped from 42% in 2018 to 37% in 2025.
Mudavadi argued that scientific credibility depends on fairness, accessible healthcare, openness about uncertainty, and demonstrating how scientific advances improve people's lives.
Trust is also an economic asset, Mudavadi noted, as it lowers barriers to business and cooperation. He argued that contracts and legal safeguards alone cannot replace integrity and a reputation for keeping one's word. He highlighted Africa's lack of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as a matter of legitimacy, urging African representation in global decision-making processes.
In terms of regional cooperation, Mudavadi highlighted Tanzania's efforts to remove non-tariff barriers in trade with Kenya. Tanzania has resolved 54 out of 68 identified barriers but still faces challenges with 14 remaining. He emphasized that trust between governments and citizens, as well as between neighboring countries, hinges on whether commitments translate into measurable results.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
