Kenya is this week playing host to the 9th Leadership and Management Development (LMD) Workshop, a high-level gathering organized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The workshop, which has attracted CEOs, directors, and senior leaders from national standards bodies worldwide, is focused on enhancing strategic leadership capacities necessary to navigate the complex realities of today’s global economy.
Speaking during the official opening, Dr. Henry Rotich, Director of Metrology & Testing at KEBS—representing the Managing Director—emphasized that impactful leadership must go beyond technical proficiency.
“It requires strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and adaptive thinking—the very skills that reinforce trust in trade, safety in products, and fairness in services,” Dr. Rotich said.
He stressed that leadership decisions made at boardroom level have far-reaching implications across industries, economies, and communities. “By strengthening ourselves intellectually, we empower our institutions, and stronger institutions underpin the smart systems that millions rely on for quality, safety, and confidence,” he added.
Dr. Rotich thanked ISO for its continued investment in capacity-building across regions—including Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean, and most recently Asia—and lauded Kenya’s role in hosting this significant global event.
Erick Kieck, ISO’s Director of Capacity Building, reiterated the organization’s dedication to nurturing leadership skills, particularly among developing countries.
“It is essential for us to invest in growing the leadership competencies of our members. They are the ones helping us navigate the complexities and challenges facing global standardization today,” said Kieck, noting that over 75 percent of ISO’s 175 members come from the developing world.
Zakaria Lukorito, KEBS Director of Standards Development and Trade, highlighted Kenya’s commitment to actively shaping the future of global standardization. “This program gives us a valuable opportunity to both learn and contribute. We are taking full advantage to strengthen leadership within our institutions and to share our experiences at regional and international levels,” he said.
The week-long workshop will cover key themes such as strategic governance, institutional resilience, innovation leadership, and the growing influence of emerging technologies—particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI)—on international trade and standards development.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Rotich urged participants to engage boldly and learn openly: “Let us listen with openness, share boldly, and leave wiser, re-energized, and ready to lead with renewed purpose.”
The LMD Workshop continues to position Kenya as a key player in the global standardization community, with leadership development at the heart of building resilient, innovative, and inclusive institutions for the future.