Co-op News - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

Incorporate cooperative aspects in school curriculum to boost savings culture, says Sacco boss

Sacco ReviewJuly 8, 202505 mins

Faridi Sacco Vice Chairperson Jeremiah Luttah has called for incorporation of cooperative aspects in school curriculum to boost the saving culture among the young generation. Speaking during the Ushirika Day 2025 celebration at the Busia ATC ground, an event attended by various key stakeholders in the cooperative movement in Busia County, Luttah highlighted the need…

USAID freeze to hurt Kenya’s Coop sector

Sacco ReviewJuly 7, 202509 mins

Ramifications of a move by Donald Trump’s administration to cut off financial assistance by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to developing countries including Kenya, will begin to be felt in the coming months. To be hit hard are key sectors of the Kenyan Economy, including the Cooperative sector that has in the…

Women groups in Kangundo receive empowerment funds from National government

Sacco ReviewJuly 7, 2025July 12, 202502 mins

Several women groups in Kangundo Constituency, have received empowerment funds from the national government. The fund was set aside by Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki to help women groups to assist them for starting or expanding their businesses to uplift their financial status. Kangundo MP Fabian Kyule his personal assistant John Kituk who was issuing cheques to women groups…

Bungoma County bets on cooperatives to stir economy, uplift livelihoods

Sacco ReviewJuly 7, 2025July 7, 202503 mins

County Government of Bungoma is banking on cooperatives to catalyze inclusive economic growth and uplift livelihoods, signaling a renewed push to strengthen the cooperative movement across all 45 wards. Speaking during the International Day of Cooperatives held in Lukhokhwe, in Tongaren, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and cooperatives, Herbert Kibunguchy, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve…

Tea farmers reap big at Mombasa auction as tea sales climb to Ksh 904 million

Sacco ReviewJuly 5, 2025July 5, 202503 mins

Tea farmers have a reason to smile after earnings from this week’s Mombasa auction rose slightly. According to data from Tea Brokers East Africa Ltd, tea factories earned Ksh 904.1 million, up from Ksh 902 million last week, following the sale of 3.72 million kilos of tea. The sale, held in Mombasa, saw increased demand and participation…

Annual Ksh3 billion SACCO losses raise alarm over weak oversight

Sacco ReviewJuly 5, 202505 mins

The cooperative finance sector in Kenya is under growing scrutiny as fresh revelations expose extensive financial mismanagement and fraud across savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs), with annual losses exceeding Ksh3 billion. According to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), these massive losses are attributed to poor governance, unremitted member contributions, liquidity challenges and a widespread…

Coffee farmers oppose Direct Payment System amid government directives

Sacco ReviewJuly 4, 2025July 9, 202508 mins

The government has accelerated coffee reforms, focusing on diverting payment points to the Direct Settlement System (DSS), which has met strong resistance. President William Ruto, during his Mt. Kenya Development tour two months ago, stirred controversy when he announced that from June, coffee proceeds would be remitted directly to farmers, bypassing cooperative society management committees….

Kirinyaga coffee farmers win first round in DSS legal battle

Sacco ReviewJuly 4, 2025July 4, 202502 mins

The battle between Kirinyaga county coffee farmers and the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) is now in the corridors of justice, as the high court extended conservatory orders barring the implementation of the Direct Settlement System (DSS) and new reforms in the coffee sector until July 28, 2025. The Cooperative Bank that operates the DSS also…

Kenyan Coops yet to enter Healthcare business, despite a glaring niche

Sacco ReviewJuly 4, 202507 mins

Within Kenya’s healthcare system lies a growing threat: medical debt. Many households, particularly those in low-income brackets, struggle to pay their medical bills, often forced to choose between their health and financial stability. This presents a critical opportunity for cooperative societies to step in by running health facilities or offering medical insurance cover or credit…

SASRA decries SACCOs slow adoption of credit scores in loan appraisals

Sacco ReviewJuly 4, 2025July 4, 202509 mins

The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has expressed concern that, despite the immense value of credit scoring, SACCOs have been slow to fully adopt credit referencing, resulting in gaps in credit decision-making. The regulator also highlights challenges in implementing effective credit-scoring systems, which have hindered responsible lending and undermined long-term financial stability. However, some senior…