By Our Reporter
Nyeri based NewFortis Sacco has trained its eyes on farmers and pastoralists in Laikipia County in a bid to deliver banking services to them and enhancing food security in the semi-arid region.
NewFortis Chairman John Githinji said the Sacco was partnering with agricultural officers and other key players in the agricultural sector to support farmers and pastoralists in accessing credit facilities to boost their returns.
“NewFortis Sacco is ready to work with farmers and pastoralists to assist them rise again especially after the devastation on the economy brought about by Covid-19 pandemic,” Githinji said.
The chairman revealed that the fast-growing society was focused on cashless transactions to reduce the risk of Covid-19 and had launched mobile money banking besides setting up Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in all its branches.
He noted that the main economic preoccupation in Laikipia was farming and livestock breeding and that the Sacco had specific products that meet the needs of the targeted customers.
Githinji said the Sacco whose bulk of members are teachers hailing from Nyeri has recruited over 3,500 members so far in Laikipia with other branches being in Nyeri, Karatina, Othaya Nairobi and the new kid on the block-Nanyuki town.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi has welcomed the initiative of the Sacco to venture into Laikipa and assured them of the County Government’s support.
He said that their plan to empower local farmers and pastoralists was commendable and asked the Sacco to work closely with the County Department of Trade and Co-operatives to achieve its objectives.
