Abstract

School leadership plays a critical role in promoting ethical management practices that ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within educational institutions. In Kenya’s public school system, often closely tied to church-sponsored management structures, the moral and professional conduct of school leaders directly influences institutional effectiveness, teacher behavior, student discipline, and stakeholder trust. This paper explores the extent to which school leaders in public primary and secondary schools in Kenya uphold ethical principles in governance and decision-making, and how such practices inform broader lessons for leadership within church-run institutions. Guided by Transformational and Ethical Leadership theories, the study utilizes a mixed methods design involving surveys and interviews with headteachers, deputy headteachers, teachers, Boards of Management, and education officers in selected counties. Findings reveal that ethical leadership significantly enhances institutional integrity, nurtures professionalism, and minimizes governance challenges such as financial impropriety and examination malpractices. Leaders who model honesty, fairness, and service based values foster cultures of trust, resilience, and community cohesion. Such exemplary cultures are critical for faith-based institutions facing contemporary challenges. However, the study also highlights challenges such as political interference, limited capacity for ethical decision-making, and resource constraints. It recommends the integration of ethical leadership training in both teacher and clergy formation, as well as policy reforms to support accountability in governance structures. The paper contributes empirical insights to the discourse on faith-inspired leadership and resilient institutional governance, drawing connections between school and church leadership. Ultimately, it argues that ethical leadership is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development, especially in values-driven institutions across Africa.