Council of Governors has presented a technical working group to give input on the Cooperatives Bill 2024 which is currently in Parliament.
The governors led by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is also the chairman of the Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives in the COG held a consultative meeting on Thursday presided over by Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) Simon Chelugui to streamline the Cooperatives Bill.
Governor Ken Lusaka noted that the CoG have signed one document to be presented to the National Assembly by the technical working group.
The governor urged the National Government to ensure the bill is aligned with constitution, saying Saccos have been facing challenges that include delay in registration, lack of appropriate registration systems and management.
He said governance issue has contributed to under performance in the sector and the bill will address the issues raised to give more conducive environment for growth of the sector.
CS Chelegui noted that the technical team will give their input and urged the governors to look at bigger picture as far as cooperative movement is concerned.
“Let us note that cooperative movement is recovering from policy and legislative misadventure before and allow it to recover fully for benefits of Kenyans. Cooperatives as an economic movement will depend on how the structure works,” the CS said.
Chelugui challenged the governors to protect remittances of money to Saccos which will protect them from collapse by issuing payments on time.
READ ALSO:
Assent Sugar Bill into law, Suba North MP urges President Ruto
The bill seeks to promote uniform norms and standards in the registration, regulation, supervision and management of cooperatives and establish a framework for consultation and co-operation amongst counties.
It seeks to establish the office of the County Director of Cooperatives of the County Government level and to provide for inter-governmental cooperative relations.
Kenya is ranked number one in the continent and number seven globally in cooperatives. It has KSh14 million members of cooperatives with over 30,000 registered cooperatives.
Other leaders who attended the meeting include; governors Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Paul Otuoma (Busia), James Orengo (Siaya), Jonathan Bii Chelilim ( Uasin Gishu), Moses Kiarie Badilisha ( Nyandarua), Principal Secretary Cooperatives Patrick Kilemi and the Commissioner of Cooperatives David Obonyo among other officers from the Ministry.
By Obegi Malack
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!
