What happens when leadership fails, institutions drift, and society loses its moral bearings? Who steps forward to restore the compass and help society find its true north once again?

In a world grappling with widening inequality, climate anxiety, and rapid technological disruption, this question has never felt more urgent. On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Strathmore University offered a compelling answer with the launch of its Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Ethics, a bold academic response to society’s growing call for principled, values-driven leadership.

According to Dr. Magdalene Dimba, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), the PhD in Applied Ethics is designed to produce thought leaders who can translate ethical theory into real-world practice.

“This is a moment of maturity, continuity and fulfilment. Central to the programme’s philosophy is the belief that individuals and organisations can be upright ethical agents who positively influence sustainable socio-economic development,” said Dr. Dimba.

Rooted in a rich philosophical tradition spanning Aristotle, Aquinas, and modern ethical thinkers, the programme adopts an integrated approach to ethics, blending virtue ethics, deontological perspectives, and classical moral reasoning.

Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, assured the congregation that candidates will engage in rigorous philosophical inquiry alongside research methods, enabling them to examine how ethical principles apply within societal contexts.

“We expect our candidates to critically analyse real-world situations, engage meaningfully in policy, and emerge as ethical leaders equipped to drive change,” said Dr. Gachenga.

Dr. John Branya, Senior Lecturer, SHSS, said the rationale for the programme emerged from growing demand among professionals and graduates of Strathmore’s Master of Applied Philosophy and Ethics, many of whom sought advanced training.

Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor, Strathmore University, lauded the launch of the PhD, noting that historically, philosophers stood at the apex of society. He expressed hope that the programme would nurture a new generation of virtuous leaders.

“Leaders sell meaning. And when they are virtuous, that meaning resonates more deeply,” said Dr. Ogutu. “But this does not happen by accident. It requires deliberate formation, hard work, and a sustained commitment to ethical leadership,” said Dr. Ogutu.

The launch featured a keynote address by Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, one of Kenya’s most respected legal minds. A Strathmore alumnus with a Masters in Applied Philosophy and Ethics, Ngatia drew on more than four decades of legal practice to reflect on ethics in leadership and constitutional governance, offering powerful, lived insight into how moral reasoning shapes national outcomes.

He observed that leadership failures are, at their core, ethical failures and challenged universities to serve as moral anchors where integrity is nurtured and future leaders are formed with clarity of conscience.

“Human beings cannot live in isolation. We are living in an era where conscience is subdued,” he said. “We must engage with one another in ways that allow conscience to become our true north.”

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion themed “Ethics as the Moral Fabric: Person to Society,” moderated by Dr. Arbogast Akidiva and featuring Eng. Julius Ogallo, Prof. Christine Gichure, and Rev. Dr. Jude Karuhanga. Drawing from everyday life, leadership, education, courage, truth-telling, and public service, the panel explored what they described as the ‘ethical mean’. The practical wisdom of knowing when something is too much, when it is too little, and choosing what is right for each situation.

Using relatable examples such as eating, where excess harms the body just as deprivation does, the panel illustrated how both extremes can become destructive. Ethics, they argued, is grounded in balance, expressed through responsible action, the avoidance of harm, and choices that promote human flourishing.

The discussion also confronted a sobering reality across many African societies. The disconnect between personal values and institutional conduct. While ethical principles are widely shared across cultures, religions, and legal systems, failures often arise from weak enforcement, inconsistent accountability, and the absence of meaningful consequences.

The panelists emphasised that ethics must move beyond theory into education, clear organisational policies, strong laws, and firm implementation. Ultimately, they agreed that ethical societies are built not only on shared values but on conviction, courage, and systems that consistently reward integrity while holding wrongdoing to account.

It is precisely this gap between values and practice that the PhD in Applied Ethics seeks to address.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu.