By Malachi Motano
Michael Ochieng and his partner Esther Omcheni have co-owned Afritech, a print media investment since 1997 but the fortunes improved after the joined Universal Traders Sacco (UTS).
They shared the sweet journey they have walked with UTS since they became members three years ago.
“I came to know of the Sacco through one of its directors Peter Nzagi after I became inquisitive because every time I passed Mlolongo I could see colours that looked like Cooperative bank and kept wondering if it was there branch,” says Ochieng.
One morning, he went there to market photocopiers, thinking it was Cooperative bank that he met Peter and that is how their company’s relationship with the Sacco began.
“We joined the Sacco at the beginning of 2019 and have benefited a lot in terms of securing loans and overdraft facility,” he says.
At one time, Ochieng the company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the his wife who is the Managing Director (MD) wanted some money to pay entry duty for some import good after they went short of Sh1 million.
“We went to our branch in Mlolongo and on the same day, they released the money to us,” says Ochieng.
Some of their major clients were hit very had by the outbreak of the Covid -19 pandemic and so the company had to look for alternative means to remain afloat.
“Our main clients are schools which were closed when the Covid-19 heightened, while another big printing client Kenya literature bureau (KLB) also closed,” says Ochieng.
So although they had their stock, Afritech could not deliver them and they could also not get paid their outstanding bills but business had to continue.
“We are proud that UTS stood firmly with us. The Sacco processes loans within a very short time,” said Omcheni.
She added that the company has taken two development loans worth Sh28 million and recently took education loans for their two sons who were going to study in the United Kingdom.
She says all of their 15 staff members have joined the Sacco and because of the sound financial position, they also now get their salaries early by 24th or 25th “as if they are working banks”.
“I just give out a pay roll, and they pay salaries to my staff. They even advance salaries to my staff. When other companies were reducing staff during the pandemic, we maintained ours,” she said.
The MD said the Sacco is flexible and it listens to customers and acts promptly on customer’s needs.
“You don’t need to go to the headquarters in Machakos when Mlolongo is here. Whatever we need from Machakos we can get in Mlolongo. So it for us to make Mlolongo grow and expand. We cannot quit UTS since it has always been there for us in times of laughter and in times of difficulties,” she concludes.
