Various organisations and Human Resource specialists in Kenya were feted at the Annual HR Awards & Gala Dinner 2022 that was held in Nairobi on Friday night.

The event hosted by the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) Kenya saw various organizations honored for their excellence in people management through the year.

Winners were recognized in government ministries, state corporations, corporate bodies and County Governments including County Public Service Boards and County Assembly Service Boards.

The HR Awards have been held since 2019 to fete organizations and individuals for professional, organizational or business excellence through strategies and practices.

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The awards are open to HR professionals and employer organizations of any size or type with operations in Kenya.

Public Service PS Amos Gathecha, who was the chief guest, noted that the awards fortified the need for excellence in people management to improve performance and productivity.

L-R: Jane Mutisya, winner HR Mentor of the Year, CHRP Quresha Abdullahi - IHRM Executive Director and Nelson Ogudha, HR Trendsetter of the Year . PHOTO/IHRM KENYA

He noted that out of the 30,000 HR practitioners in Kenya only 16,000 were registered with IHRM and only 8,000 were active, meaning only a quarter of them had complied with the Human Resource Management Professional Act 52 of 2012.

Gathecha urged the professionals to provide suggestions to the Ministry on how it can support the council to ensure al HR practitioners comply with the relevant regulations.

“I call upon IHRM to take up the responsibility of advising both state and non-state actors on matters of people management, productivity and skill development so that our workforce remains competitive in the global market,” he said.

He assured the government will design new merit-based human capital systems including digitizing and modernizing policies for recruiting, retaining, training and developing talent while promoting career progression and ambition among young civil servants.

CHRP Odero Phillip Dalmas. PHOTO/IHRM KENYA

IHRM Kenya National Chairman Dalmas Odero says the awards aim to identify individuals and institutions that continue making precious contributions to the HR practice in Kenya.

“The HR awards are aligned with the future of work and HR practice such as embracing technology, and promoting green human resource management while addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Similarly, employee health directly influences work behavior, attendance, and on-the-job performance,” Odero said.

He added: “We, therefore, encourage open conversation around holistic well-being and in particular mental health at the workplace. These are all strategic areas that are also a priority for the IHRM council.”

He says IHRM had introduced the e-IHRM system allowing members to access all its services online including membership certificates renewal and generation as well as maintenance of continuous professional development credit points.

Amos Gathecha. PHOTO/IHRM KENYA

Similarly, IHRM Executive Director Quresha Abdullahi challenged HR professionals to embrace best people management practices to comply with existing laws to promote excellence.

“Award ceremonies provide a platform to show approval and gratitude to individuals and organizations for their outstanding accomplishments, it also makes people aware that achievements will be rewarded further entrenching best practices,” she noted.

These are the winners announced at this year’s HR Awards Gala:

● HR Trendsetter of the Year - Nelson Ogudha

● Work-Life Integration Strategy of the Year - Strathmore University

● Talent Management Strategy of the Year - Unga Holdings Limited

● HR Rising Star of the Year - Keith Anami

● Green HRM Initiative of the Year - CPF Financial Services

● Best Transformation/Change Strategy of the Year - American Tower Corporation (ATC) Kenya Services Limited

● Most Diverse & Inclusive State Corporation - National Council for Persons with Disability

● HR Mentor of the Year - Jane Mutisya

● HRM Excellence County of the Year - Kajiado County

● HR Tech Strategy of the Year - Academy of Certified Human Resource Professionals Ltd

● HRM Excellence State Corporation of the Year - Kenya Electricity Generating Company

● HRM Excellence County Public Service Board - Bomet County

● Workplace Wellness Program of the Year - Strathmore University

● HR Director of the Year - Dr Francis Kangure

● Best People-Focused CEO/MD of the Year Award - Joseph Choge