- Kenya National Police DT Sacco’s Simon Tanui has earned the global I-CUDE credential, joining just 15 professionals recognised in 2026.
- The award was presented during the 2026 World Credit Union Conference in Sydney.
- The recognition highlights Kenya’s growing influence in the global Sacco movement.
Simon Kiprotich Tanui, General Manager of Operations and Strategy at Kenya National Police Deposit-Taking (DT) SACCO, has been recognised internationally as a Development Educator, becoming one of just 15 professionals worldwide to earn the International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE) credential in 2026.
The honour was conferred at the Global DE Social, a signature event held during the 2026 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Sydney, Australia. The I-CUDE designation is awarded by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) in partnership with regional credit union development networks, and is considered one of the highest professional distinctions in the global cooperative sector.
It recognises leaders who have shown sustained commitment to advancing cooperative principles, building cross border collaboration, and driving financial inclusion.
Tanui’s inclusion in the I-CUDE Class of 2026 places him among a small group of cooperative leaders drawn from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.
Other African honourees named alongside him include Allan Tom Kitanda of Wazalendo Sacco in Uganda, Mercy Tumukunde Gava of SteadFin Uganda Sacco, and Cyprian Kankyie Ahmed Basing of the Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association.
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Kassandra Schroeder, Director of the World Council Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) programme and Global DE Programs at the WFCU, said the 2026 cohort represented some of the strongest talent within the global development educator community, noting that the honourees had grown as leaders, built connections across borders, and given back to their communities.
Earning the I-CUDE credential is a demanding, multi stage process that goes well beyond standard executive leadership training. Candidates must first hold an active Development Educator (DE) designation from a recognised regional body, such as Africa DE, which is run by the African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).
They must then pursue international engagement by taking part in cross border educational work and earning a second DE designation outside their home country.
Finally, candidates are required to complete an independent study project built around core cooperative principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), producing measurable benefits for their credit union, its members, or the wider community.
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Tanui’s recognition reflects the growing profile of Kenya’s Sacco sector internationally. As General Manager of Operations and Strategy at Kenya National Police DT Sacco, one of the country’s leading financial cooperatives, his achievement points to both his individual standing and the wider strength of Kenya’s cooperative movement.
The award also underlines the part that local credit union leaders play in widening access to fair, community driven financial services, keeping cooperative values central to modern financial strategy.
By Benedict Aoya
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