The County Assembly of Taita Taveta has been asked to fast-track passage of the County Cooperative Draft Bill to provide trustworthy market intelligence, practical advice and business tools to regulate and streamline registration of Saccos in the County.
Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo said that the county administration is keen to ensure cooperatives in the area run smoothly to boost the economic status of residents.
Kilalo urged the cooperative societies to embrace technological innovation and intensify member education programmes to reach residents in rural areas and pledged a Ksh1 million prize to the society that will have with the best innovation by next year
She called on residents to embrace cooperative movements to help them achieve growth in different sectors of the economy.
“Our administration, through relevant departments, has taken up the initiative of training and building the capacity of residents towards understanding the importance of cooperatives,” Kilalo added.
The county Cooperative Commissioner Erastus Gonzi observed that there was an increase in membership among co-operatives in the area and urged more residents to join the bandwagon.
He stated that in the 2021/2022 Financial Year (FY), total registered societies stood at 242 with a total membership of 98,996, total assets of Ksh3.3 billion and loans issued worth Ksh2.4 billion. Total deposits stood at Ksh2.29 billion while total share capital amounted Ksh241,370,385.
“To transform Taita Taveta, we need to advocate for meaningful development while continuing to work with all stakeholders to revitalize dormant cooperatives. I urge the youth, our parents and People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) to embrace Saccos,” he said.
While reminding cooperatives to ensure compliance to the law by embracing audit of reports and ensuring that Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are held by April annually, Gonzi urged members and leaders to shun divisive politics in their societies.
Gonzi decried the high number of dormant societies which he said totaled to 141 with active societies standing at a paltry 101.
The County Cooperative Development Committee (CCDC) Chairperson James Kubo noted that most societies in the county were dormant and that the county government was planning to allocate funds to facilitate their revival.
County Chief Officer Paul Maneno encouraged capacity building of co-operative leaders and also urged them to uphold integrity in their positions to ensure positive growth of the societies.
Also in attendance was Qwetu Sacco Chairman Alfred Mlolwa who encouraged the youth to join co-operatives in order to realize development and growth.
“Currently, most cooperators are aged people. We wish to see more youth embracing this Sacco model. Qwetu Sacco has opened its common bond, which means we are open to individuals from all walks of life, ”Mlolwa added.
The Chairman expressed pride that the Sacco has enabled members to educate their children, boosted businesses, created wealth and supported farmers to boost food production through its loan products.
By Michael Oduor
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