Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has urged its suppliers to guard against illegal and unethical actions, such as violation of labour laws and human rights, corruption and environmental degradation.

Caroline Wakesho Sonje, the KCB sustainability manager, said the bank has started a campaign that seeks to empower stakeholders with capacities to deter bad business practices to help build sustainable enterprises.

"We are encouraging KCB suppliers to embrace practices that promote business sustainability to ensure long-term success, which will, ultimately, boost socio-economic development, a healthy environment, and stable society,” she said at a conference in Kigali yesterday. "We want to engage with people who are committed to fighting unethical practices.”

The conference brought together KCB officials and the bank’s local suppliers and service providers, including security guard companies, and courier companies.

Sonje said the KCB sustainability campaign started with the customers last year, encouraging them to get rid of unethical conduct. She noted that this year the focus was on suppliers, adding that other categories of stakeholders will be considered in the coming years.

Noting that KCB Bank Rwanda is one of the model subsidiaries in promoting ethical principles, Sonje urged the suppliers to respect human rights and labour laws. "Adopt occupational safety and health standards and formulate environmental and social policies because they ensure business sustainability,” she said.