Mr. John Ziro shoulders a huge responsibility of steering Imarika Sacco to great heights: the Sacco’s roaring success since 1972 must be cultivated and sustained. He is well-equipped and prepared for the job.
Mr. Ziro has taken the mantle as the new Board of Directors chairman from the long-serving chair Mr. Renson Ndoro. “This is a great privilege for me, especially taking over from a man who has been an inspiration to us. We thank God that he mentored; that’s what good leaders do,” he says.
Mr. Ziro is ready to walk the talk and lead by example. With the help of the Board, staff, and members, he is on a mission to make Imarika Sacco the first and trusted choice to many nationally.
“I don’t like to do things just for lip service. I’d just rather do it versus talking about doing it,” he says, adding the Sacco leadership will not lose sight of what keeps the Sacco in business.
“We’ll be there for our staff and members, empowering them and creating an environment for innovation,” he says. “There is no idea that can’t be explored.”
He says the Sacco staff must always think outside the box, with their biggest focus directed at customer service.
The Sacco has set ambitious targets in its current Strategic Plan, projecting to grow membership and members’ deposits by at least 15% annually in the next ten years. The Society also intends to improve operational efficiency and reduce expenditure on non-core areas.
“We’re on the right course towards being the trusted Sacco of choice. In 10 years the Sacco will be more stable, self-sufficient and delivering to members, we’re already among the best,” Mr. Ziro avers.
As the chairman, Mr. Ziro’s priority is strengthening service delivery, ensuring members are served to their satisfaction, and making them proud of Imarika Sacco. “While we’ll keep on developing creative products tailored to financial needs of members, we’ll also focus more on educating members on financial management,” he states.
He envisions changing the mindset of members from net borrowers to become net savers, noting this is the only way to create wealth and gain financial independence.
“We must keep on giving our members financial knowledge since most got the money but misuse it,” he says.
Mr. Ziro points out that with proper knowledge, many can use their little income to grow wealth.
“Personally I have evidence. There was a young man who used to earn Ksh2,000 per month at Mtwapa town. When he married, he wanted to improve on his finances, I introduced him to the Sacco. Through savings, little by little, he was able to start a small business. Today he has a big shop, bought a plot and constructed his home,” he explains.
For him, Saccos offer leeway for people at the bottom of the economic pyramid to be economically empowered.
“It is only Sacco that can make you grow financially. Imarika Sacco is of these unique Saccos, we have combined business with social care, members are treated with respect, listened too and advised. We have empowered our members to succeed in life. If you want to go far and move higher, start with Imarika,” he says as a matter of fact. The Society’s concern for the community stands out, being the first to establish a foundation that now sponsors over 135 students and is leading in supporting community health programs.
A teacher by profession and now a Senior Headteacher, Mr. Ziro’s journey with Imarika Sacco started in 1990 when the government employed him. Ambitious in 1992, he was elected as a delegate until 2002, when he was elected to the Board.
He has served in various sub-committees while undergoing various leadership training to sharpen his skills. He also serves as Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) and Kenya Teachers Saccos Association (KETSA) delegate.
Despite his low-profile life, Mr. Ziro takes a leading role in community policing matters in his locality.
He credits his father for playing a significant role in introducing him to Sacco savings, himself having benefited from the cooperative business model.
“When I joined teaching, my father urged me to start saving with Imarika Sacco then Kilifi Teachers Saccos. He could recount to me a number of achievements he had made through support of the Sacco. This pushed me. I can’t regret joining this Sacco,” he says.
Juggling comes naturally for Mr. Ziro, and thus able to find a balance between family, teaching, and his Sacco duties.
He is glad that the government is making progress in facilitating a national payment for Saccos, which, he notes, has been long overdue.
He says Imarika Sacco, just as its name, has a promise: to walk with members, empower them to become stable, and grow steadily to prosperity. With over 143,000 members, Ksh10.48 billion in total assets, and a Ksh10.17 billion loan book, the Sacco continues to climb the ladder to success.
“It is only Sacco that can make you grow financially. Imarika Sacco is of these unique Saccos, we have combined business with social care, members are treated with respect, listened too and advised. We have empowered our members to succeed in life. If you want to go far and move higher, start with Imarika.”
Mr Ziro, Imarika Chairman.
Through digital transformation, Mr. Ziro says, they are able to serve members conveniently via mobile banking and Sacco agents, among other alternative services.
The Sacco has developed innovative products for small and medium enterprises and established partnerships with firms such as Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) to offer affordable home loans for members to acquire land and build or develop already existing ones.
“I would wish all members and Kenyans at large have good financial knowledge to take care of their money, there are so many books to learn from, many waste their money, which they can use and make a fortune. Instead of looking for corrupt deals, you can easily make use of what you have towards your financial independence. Just join a Sacco,” he advises.
