The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Kiplangat, PhD, MBS, OGW,  today delivered the keynote address at the CEOs Breakfast Meeting 2026 hosted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi.

The high-level forum brought together Executive Directors and senior leaders from leading Kenyan institutions under the theme: “Driving Business Excellence Through Management Systems: The CEO Imperative.”

It was a focused, solutions-driven conversation on how management systems, particularly ISO frameworks, shape strategy, strengthen governance, and drive measurable performance across sectors.

In his address, titled “Lead Beyond the Standard: Building a Sustainable Culture of Excellence,” Prof. Kiplangat challenged CEOs to rethink standards not as compliance checklists, but as leadership instruments.

He spoke candidly about the difference between certification and culture. Standards, he noted, only deliver value when leaders internalize them, when they inform decisions, influence behavior, and shape institutional character.

He emphasized three central ideas:

• Excellence is sustained through systems, not personality.
• Leadership discipline determines whether standards live on paper or in practice.
• Long-term success depends on aligning governance, strategy, and accountability within structured management frameworks.

His message was clear: sustainable excellence is built intentionally and CEOs carry that responsibility.

The Breakfast Meeting was graced by key national leaders and industry decision-makers, reflecting the strategic importance of standards in Kenya’s development agenda.

Among the dignitaries present were:

• Hon. Dr. Chris Wamalwa, Chair of the National Standards Council
• Prof. Erastus Gatebe, representing the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry
• Esther Ngari, Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards
• Senior officials from the National Standards Council and KEBS Certification Body
• Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors from leading Kenyan institutions across sectors

On behalf of the Ministry, Prof. Gatebe underscored the strategic importance of ISO management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization in driving institutional sustainability and aligning organizations with national development priorities.

In her closing remarks, Esther Ngari highlighted the power of standards to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen market competitiveness, and build institutional credibility in both regional and global markets.

The CEOs Breakfast 2026 was a strategic conversation about the future of Kenyan institutions. As a chartered university grounded in systems, accountability, and continuous improvement, we remain aligned with the national vision of strengthening organizations through robust management frameworks.

Excellence is not accidental. It is structured. It is led. And it is sustained.