The Co-operative Societies Code of Conduct and Ethics

Section 1. Citation Section This Code may be cited as the Co-operative Societies Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Section 2. Interpretation Section In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires— "Commission” means the Ethics Commission for Co-operative Societies established under the Public Officer Ethics Regulations; “officer” means an officer or employee to whom this Code applies under paragraph 3 of this Code.

Section 3. Application of Code Section 3(1) This Code applies to all officers and employees of co-operative societies. Section 3(2) For the purposes of this section, “officer” includes any committee member, member of a supervisory committee or other person concerned in the management of a co-operative society.

Section 4. Compliance with General Code Section 4(1) An officer shall comply with all the requirements of the General Code of Conduct and Ethics set out in Part III of the Act. Section 4(2) The General Code of Conduct and Ethics set out in Part III of the Act is set out in the Appendix to this Code and shall form part of this Code.

Section 5. Integrity and impartiality Section Regardless of his political opinions, an officer shall serve with courtesy, honesty, integrity, probity and objectivity.

Section 6. Political affiliation Section An officer is entitled to his own views on political matters but shall not be permitted, in the course of the performance of his duties, to express those views publicly or seek to influence his colleagues or those who seek his services to subscribe to his political beliefs.

Section 7. Comments Section make public comments that support or criticise a political party;

Section 8. Responsibility to organisation Section An officer shall ensure that he carries out his duties in a way that is consistent with his being part of his organisation.

Section 9. Efficiency Section An officer shall perform his duties with diligence, prudence and efficiency.

Section 10. Canvassing for favours Section An officer shall not canvass either directly or indirectly for any favours in the committee or in the organisation.

Section 11. Harambees Section 11(1)(a) conduct himself in such a way as to reflect adversely on his integrity or impartiality or to interfere with his official duties; or Section 11(1)(b) play a central role in its organization or preside over it or be its guest of honour. Section 11(2) The Controller and Auditor-General shall not use his office to solicit for funds for a harambee or any other purpose.

Section 12. Conflict of interests Section he shall ensure that he does not subordinate his official duties to his private interests or put himself in a position where there is conflict between his official duties and his private interests;

Section 13. Gifts, etc Section 13(1) An officer shall neither ask for or accept any property or benefit of any kind for himself or for any person, on account of anything to be done, or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties by virtue of his official position. Section 13(2)(a) report the matter to the person who is, in accordance with the administrative procedures of the Commission, the authorised officer, who shall direct the appropriate mode of disposal of the gift; and Section 13(2)(b) comply with any such direction. Section 13(3) A gift referred to in section 11(4) of the Act shall not be accepted by an officer on the premises of the organisations.

Section 14. Conduct of private affairs Section 14(1) An officer shall not neglect his financial and other obligations to his family and other persons or organisations. Section 14(2) An officer shall live within his means and avoid incurring any financial liability that he cannot satisfy. Section 14(3) An officer shall manage his finances prudently to avoid financial embarrassment to himself and his employer. Section 14(4) An officer shall be a role model to his colleagues and other people around him and shall therefore refrain from activities that may bring the committee into disrepute. Section 14(5) An officer shall not engage in private business during official working hours.

Section 15. Safeguarding of information Section An officer shall ensure that confidential or secret information or documents entrusted to his care are adequately protected from improper or inadvertent disclosure.

Section 16. Appropriate authority for reporting Section For the purposes of section 25 of the General Code of Conduct and Ethics set out in the Appendix to this Code, the appropriate authority to whom an officer shall report a matter under that section is the Administrator of the Commission.

Section 17. Breach of Code Section Where an officer has committed a breach of this Code, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the Act and other applicable laws.