Corporate social responsibility disclosure in Kenya: The Nairobi stock exchange

Abstract

Cyril H. Ponnu* and Maurice O. A. Okoth

This paper aims to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices in Kenya by studying the disclosure practices of companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). It looks at CSR disclosure practices in annual reports and web sites of the companies across different industry groups to determine the relationship between company size (paid-up capital, revenue and profit before tax) and CSR disclosure and to examine the theme (environment, community involvement, product and consumer and HRM) of CSR disclosure. Chosen from five different industry groupings, these companies make up 87% of the total population of companies listed on the NSE. Results reveal that CSR disclosure received only modest attention and the theme most commonly disclosed was community involvement. There were significant differences among various industry groupings with respect to company background and themes of CSR disclosure.