Contribution of leadership independence on leadership performance of listed companies in Kenya

Leadership is a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Corporate governance has dominated leadership policy agenda in developed market economies for more than a decade and African continent is gradually adopting it on their policy agenda on leadership and governance of their organisations. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (formerly Nairobi Stock Exchange) (NSE) is the principal stock exchange of Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to establish the role of leadership independence on leadership performance of listed companies in Kenya. The target population consisted of the 62 listed companies that had been listed at the NSE in 2015. The study used primary data which was collected using questionnaires. Data was analysed and presented using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the results of this study. The study found that listed companies should ensure there is independence among their leaders as this is the only way leaders will give their best. Effective leadership performance practises in companies begin with ensuring there is freedom within their leaders. Listed companies can only exploit their best monitoring strategies effectively if duties of each leader are specified to avoid duplication and interference. Development of written company code of corporate governance is a tool that can guarantee sustainable performance of the listed companies. The leadership of listed companies resources should be tasked to qualified independent professionals in respective disciplines in order for the listed companies to realise the full benefits of corporate governance.