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

Meru pushes youth into coffee farming as county targets production revival

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 2026April 10, 202605 mins

Meru County leaders and industry stakeholders are urging farmers to open up their land to young people in a bid to revive coffee production, which has been on a steady decline for decades. The call comes amid government-backed programmes aimed at restoring the crop’s former glory and securing its future. Charles Mutwiri Mkarimu, a member…

Why income from SACCO non-core activities should not be taxed

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 2026April 10, 202609 mins

A Professional Perspective from the Cooperative Movement Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) have long been recognised as vital pillars in Kenya’s financial ecosystem. This is true to date. Under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), SACCOs are not merely financial intermediaries but grassroots economic engines that mobilise savings, deepen financial inclusion, and empower millions…

Liquidation: The silent destroyer of cooperatives’ dreams

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 202606 mins

For many Kenyans, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, cooperative societies are more than just financial institutions, they are lifelines. They represent hope, collective strength, and a pathway to economic empowerment. Yet, when liquidation strikes, it often leaves behind a trail of broken dreams, financial loss, and shattered trust. Liquidation, the formal process of closing…

CS Cooperatives Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya in meeting with officials from the World Bank Group at the Delta Centre in Nairobi last year.

World Bank warns of economic slowdown and rising inflation in Kenya amid geopolitical tensions

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 202605 mins

The World Bank has issued a stark warning regarding the potential impact of escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran, on African economies. In a statement released on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the global financial institution cautioned that the crisis could lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth across the continent, with…

German-Kisumu partnership brings water relief to 800 homes in Chulaimbo

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 202605 mins

A partnership between Gersthofen and Kisumu County has delivered a Sh5 million water project set to benefit at least 800 households in Chulaimbo. The project, launched on Wednesday by Gersthofen First Mayor Michael Wörle and Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili, will be managed by Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO) and is expected to expand…

WOCCU guidelines on use of AI in Saccos

Sacco ReviewApril 9, 202608 mins

Savings and credit co-operatives (Saccos) have received a roadmap for adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools as the sector explores how emerging technologies could improve efficiency, risk management and member services. The guidance, developed for credit unions globally by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), outlines in a white paper how financial cooperatives can integrate AI…

KRA appoints Lilian Nyawanda acting commissioner general as Wattanga exits

Sacco ReviewApril 8, 2026April 8, 202604 mins

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has appointed Dr. Lilian Nyawanda as Acting Commissioner General following the exit of Humphrey Wattanga. The Authority confirmed on Wednesday that Wattanga’s contract would not be renewed, and he has proceeded on terminal leave with immediate effect. “The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Board informs the public that it will not…

CS Oparanya with Committee of Experts during presentation of Report on the Transformation of the SACCO System in Kenya to President William Samoei Ruto.

Proposed reforms to make whistle blower policy mandatory in SACCOs

Sacco ReviewApril 8, 2026April 8, 202608 mins

Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) could soon be required to adopt mandatory whistle-blower policies as part of sweeping reforms aimed at improving transparency, governance and accountability in the sector. The proposal is contained in a report by a Committee of Experts reviewing Kenya’s SACCO legal and regulatory framework. The committee recommends that SACCOs establish…

Imarika DT Sacco headquarters in Kilifi County on

Imarika Sacco assets hit Ksh16.1 billion as performance surpasses targets

Sacco ReviewApril 8, 2026May 7, 202605 mins

Imarika Sacco, one of Kenya’s fastest-growing cooperatives, has once again recorded strong financial performance, posting total assets of Ksh16.1 billion in the year ended 31st December 2025. The Sacco also reported increased member deposits, which rose to Ksh10.5 billion against a target of Ksh10.6 billion falling short by Ksh100 million. In contrast, loans and advances…

NBA Board Chairman Hon. David Wamatsi in a group photo during a visit to Malaba and Busia border offices

New NBA offices in Moyale, Isebania to boost GMO monitoring drive

Sacco ReviewApril 8, 2026April 8, 202604 mins

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has expanded its operational footprint with the opening of new offices in Moyale and Isebania, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening surveillance and monitoring of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) across the country. The operationalisation of the two offices is expected to enhance regulatory oversight, particularly at key entry points,…