Meru County’s cooperative movement received a major boost after four leading Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) scooped the top honors at the 104th Ushirika Day celebrations, cementing the county’s reputation as one of Kenya’s strongest cooperative hubs.
The awards recognized excellence in capitalization, technology, governance, risk management, credit administration and member services.
Yetu DT Sacco also excelled after winning Best DT Sacco in Technology Optimization (Agriculture-Based Saccos) and finishing third in Capitalization and third in Member Management.
The Yetu Sacco CEO Denis Kirimi who was the MC of the day was all smiles for the recognition.
“Saccos drive economic growth, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. Let us work together to build stronger communities, create more opportunities, and achieve lasting success for everyone,” Kirimi said.
Jamii Yetu Sacco emerged among the biggest winners in the Community-Based Category after taking first position as Best Sacco in Capitalization, second position as Best Performing Sacco, and third position in both Best Sacco in Credit Management and Most Efficient Sacco respectively.
Solution Sacco Society Ltd was recognized for having the Largest Branch Network, Best Risk Management and Highest Interest Rate on Members’ Deposits in Imenti North.
Times U Sacco also received recognition for excellence in Member Management, Risk Management and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The award-winning Saccos attributed their success to prudent financial management, innovation, strong governance and the continued support of members, boards and staff.
Chief Protocal officer in the office of the Deputy President Gideon Kimathi urged residents to join Saccos.
“President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki have Meru residents interests at heart. He has appointed Ameru son as Cooperatives PS to safeguard the sector. Let us take advantage of the office. Let’s stop playing Pata potea politics,” Kimathi said.
Meru Governor Rev. Mutuma M’Ethingia, who presided over the County celebrations alongside the Principal Secretaries Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry) and his counterpart Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives), reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening cooperatives through collaboration with the national government.
Mutuma challenged the security agencies in the County to improve security in coffeee factories that have greatly suffered theft of coffee and killing of guards.
He said strong cooperatives remain central to economic growth going by the Ushirika Day’s celebrations global theme “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World.”
PS Kilemi hailed Meru as a model county in the cooperative movement, saying its success had positioned it among Kenya’s leading cooperative economies.
Sacco members who spoke during the event called for intervention on outstanding cooperative debts, affordable fertilizer, increased coffee seedlings and support for Afya Millers.
Kilemi said he has also factored in allocation of Sh100million for construction of a Cotton Ginnery in Meru to boost the economy of Buuri, Tigania and Igembe regions.
“Meru is a model county in cooperative development. My congratulations go to the leadership and all cooperative societies for the milestones they have achieved. Meru is home to cooperatives,” he said.
Forestry Mugambi also praised the county’s cooperative movement, saying organized cooperatives have significantly improved household incomes.
The two PSs urged residents to support locally produced goods and announced plans to distribute coffee seedlings in Meru while encouraging farmers to diversify into cocoa, avocado and coffee farming.
National Cooperatives commissioner Dr. David Obonyo said cooperatives serve as great milestone in creating jobs, uplifting the living standards of the residents and a thriving economy.
“Meru has a great mark in cooperatives. You have transformed the sector,” Obonyo said.
Edited by John Majau
