- Sacco members have raised concerns that the proposed delegate system could weaken their direct voting rights.
- Nation DT Sacco will vote on the system at a Special General Meeting on August 15 in Nairobi.
- The system requires Saccos with more than 5,000 members to use 150 to 500 elected delegates at general meetings.
Sacco members across Kenya have raised concerns over a proposed delegate governance system. They argue the arrangement could reduce ordinary members’ direct participation in decisions affecting their savings and investments, as large cooperative societies move towards representative decision making.
The opposition comes as Nation DT Sacco prepares to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) on Saturday, August 15, where members will vote on proposed amendments to the society’s bylaws to incorporate the delegate system of governance.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8am at St Andrews Church along Nyerere Road in Nairobi. Members will also consider an election policy, member education and any other special business for which due notice has been issued.
Federation of Kenya Consumers (COFEK) Secretary General Stephen Mutoro has urged Sacco members to protect their direct voting rights and carefully consider the proposed governance changes before approving them.
“On 15th August, you are being asked to trade your direct vote for a Delegate System. Sounds harmless, until you ask: Who picks the delegates? Who do they answer to? And who benefits when ordinary members are one step removed from decision-making?” Mutoro said.
READ ALSO:
Kenya National Police DT Sacco expands community CSI projects
He questioned how delegates would be selected and held accountable, arguing that members should understand the implications of introducing a representative system before making a decision.
Mutoro also warned that the proposed system could reduce members’ ability to scrutinise Sacco boards, particularly on issues involving remuneration, tenders and audits. He urged members to attend the Special General Meeting, participate in discussions and demand clarity on how the proposed system would operate before voting.
The proposed delegate system follows a directive issued by the Commissioner for Cooperative Development in July 2025 requiring cooperatives with more than 5,000 members to adopt the model for their general meetings.
Under the directive, affected cooperatives are required to have between 150 and 500 delegates representing the wider membership. Saccos are also expected to amend their bylaws to formally recognise the new governance structure.
The government has defended the system, saying it will make general meetings more manageable for large cooperatives while allowing members to participate through elected representatives. Cooperatives have also been directed to establish mechanisms for keeping their wider membership informed about their operations and affairs.
However, critics argue that the arrangement could weaken the “one member, one vote” principle by creating an additional layer between ordinary members and major decisions made during general meetings.
The debate comes as Kenya continues efforts to reform the cooperative sector, with the government seeking to strengthen Sacco governance, financial stability and competitiveness while balancing efficiency with members’ participation in decision making.
By Bernard Magada
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
