Gender Shift
Women are no longer on the sidelines of financial leadership; they are leading the charge. A new wave of women-centric Saccos has emerged across the country, with women stepping confidently into roles as Chief Executive Officers, directors, and chairladies, proving that when women lead, communities thrive.
Article 27(8) of the Kenyan Constitution states that no more than two-thirds of members in any elective or appointive public body should be of the same gender. This rule is meant to promote fair representation of both women and men in politics and public service.
One of the notable developments was the launch in West Pokot of the “Her Financial Freedom Sacco,” a bold initiative created to enable women to save, borrow, and invest in their futures. In Kilifi, the Kilifi Women Empowerment Cooperative Society opened its doors, offering microloans and savings schemes tailored specifically for rural women entrepreneurs. Makueni County also rolled out the Kimatwa Women Sacco, aimed at boosting financial inclusion for women involved in agriculture and small business.
The SACCO Supervision Annual Report (2023) by SASRA shows a rise in the number of female employees in both Deposit-Taking (DT) and Non-Withdrawable Deposit-Taking (NWDT) Saccos as compared to men. This growth highlights the increasing role of women in the Sacco sector, showing that they are taking the lead in the business.
These are part of a larger tapestry: United Women and Bariki Women Saccos have also come online, providing safe, women-run spaces in which members can grow financially and gain independence.
This month, Qona Sacco recently took part in Networking in Heels, a dynamic forum dedicated to powerhouse women in business and professional careers. The event brought together an inspiring community of leaders, innovators, and change-makers for a day of insightful conversations and empowering exchanges, offering a platform for bold ideas and collaborative thinking. It was a celebration of women supporting women, and Qona’s presence added a strong, uplifting voice to the collective momentum.
But the wave doesn’t stop there. Across counties, women-led Saccos are making a difference: Kisii County Women Agribusiness Empowerment Sacco (KCWAES), founded by trailblazer Janet Ong’era, empowers women farmers and traders to scale up their agribusiness ventures.
Good Faith Sacco, chaired by Ms. Mary Njiiri Karanu, now features rising numbers of women in senior roles and regularly serves female professionals in Kiambu and Nairobi. Imarika Sacco in Kilifi, long known for its community-focused lending, has seen women ascend to senior leadership roles, shaping its direction for inclusive growth.
Mainstream Saccos like Mwalimu National, Tembo, Hazina, and Tower Saccos, once male-dominated institutions, are now appointing women as directors and managers.
In boardrooms across Kenya, women are proving their capacity to lead complex financial cooperatives, manage risk, and deliver dividends. Their success is opening doors for other women to access credit, start businesses, pay school fees, and build assets for their families.
