Corporate Social Reports of Firms Listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Abstract

This article explores the corporate social reports of companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. This exploratory study aimed at establishing if there is any form of corporate social reporting practiced in Kenya, the extent and mode of reporting, guidelines commonly followed by companies in the preparation and presentation of the corporate social reports and the quality of information disclosed in the corporate social reports. The study revealed that there is some form of corporate social reporting practiced in Kenya. The reports were found, to be of low quality, lacking in completeness, uniformity and reliability. Most of the reporting was done in the annual reports in the corporate governance section. Only two companies prepared separate stand alone reports. The reports primarily focused on issues on education, health and social and philanthropic activities. All the information reported was good news and no bad news was disclosed.

Key words: Corporate Social Reporting, Corporate Annual Reports.