The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya
Driven by a passion in dairy farming and a clear vision on the future he desired, Samuel Kariuki used his meager savings to buy a cow. For the farmer from Runyenjes area of Embu County, that cow was a disappointment as it was a low yielding breed that could hardly produce five litres in a…
Hell broke loose during Sunrise Dairy Cooperative Society in Butali Chegulo ward, Malava constituency annual general meeting after members protested and called for the immediate arrest of staff and individuals who purchased their products and have refused to pay a debt amounting to Ksh218, 000. The members unanimously agreed to surcharge the debt to the…
Over the last few years, several Deposit Taking (DT) Saccos have opened new branches in major urban centres across the countries. Kirinyaga based Bingwa Sacco has opened a new branch in Kitengela. Jane Mugoh, former Bingwa Sacco CEO, said they have been expanding to urban areas so as to get more members. “We have saturated…
In his lifetime, Symon Mburia has taken a leading role in transforming the co-operative movement in the country. He has taken part in drafting and formulating major polices governing the co-operative movement, and also ensuring that the co-operative movement is managed professionally through his leadership in the newly formed Kenya Society of Professional Co-operators (KSPC)…
Kilifi County boasts of having many cooperative societies thanks to Morris Mangi, who is credited to the proliferation of cooperatives in the region having planted the seed over three decades ago. Mangi initiated the formation of Kilifi Multipurpose Cooperative Society, now called Magarini Sand and Harvesting Cooperative Society, in 1990. He also formed Malindi Biashara…
The turnaround of coffee cooperatives following the introduction of cherry advances to the farmers by New KPCU, a state corporation, elicited mixed reactions from those expected to benefit from the proposed interventions. A cursory assessment shows that the uptake of this facility remains way below expectations despite frantic efforts being made by industry players. I…
Cooperatives, by their very definition, are formed to serve the socio-economic and cultural needs of their members. However, the majority of cooperatives in Africa are agro-based and financial in nature while aspects of social services are given a wide berth. In view of the challenges facing humanity globally, it is now absolutely necessary for new…
The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic three years ago compelled most Saccos to adopt technology so as to continue serving their members even as they iterated around new ways to survive and thrive. Digital consumption was at its all-time highest during the pandemic. Technology aided a number of operations in many industries across the world…
Cooperatives today have become very important drivers of personal financial growth and the route to member’s economic empowerment. Since the first cooperative society was formed in Kenya and its subsequent success, both the private and public sectors embraced cooperatives as vehicles to financial breakthrough. Cooperatives must adopt the best policies, bylaws and strategies because good…
Saccos have moved into a second wave of rebranding, in an apparently new order that is adding the words DT Saccos (Deposit Taking-Saccos) on their names. What is the rationale of this craze? How does this change of identity impact in the industry? Is it a way of DT Saccos delinking with other societies such…
