Kenya’s vibrant cooperative movement has once again taken center stage on the global map. Brenda Obondo, the Vice Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) Sacco, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2026 World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) scholarship.
The announcement was made by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), which unveiled the 2026 scholars for both the WYCUP and the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) programs.
Selected from a highly competitive international pool, Obondo will represent Kenya at the 2026 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC), scheduled for July 19–22 in Sydney, Australia.
The scholarship is a full-ride award, covering airfare, hotel accommodations, and conference registration. In Sydney, Obondo and her fellow scholars will engage in high-level networking, transformative leadership development, and cross-border collaboration with the world’s top credit union executives.
A Global Competition
The selection process highlights the growing demand for leadership training within the movement. For the 2026 cycle:
- WYCUP received 96 applications from 20 countries.
- GWLN received 83 applications from 18 countries.
Obondo’s selection underscores the strength of Kenya’s Sacco sector, which is widely regarded as one of the most developed in Africa. Joining her from the region is Mary Bokosi, General Manager of PolyMed SACCO in Malawi, who was awarded the GWLN scholarship.
Strengthening the Next Generation
The WYCUP program, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, aims to empower leaders under the age of 40. A highlight of the upcoming conference will be the Emerging Leaders’ Summit on July 19, co-hosted by the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA).
“It’s a unique experience—incredibly impactful and full of learning,” said Vitor Cora, a previous recipient from Brazil. “The immersion in different cultures and the opportunity to talk with young credit union leaders from all over the world is fantastic.”
2026 Scholarship Recipients at a Glance
WYCUP Scholarship (Empowering Emerging Leaders)
- Brenda Obondo – Kenya Medical Association Sacco & KUSCCO (Kenya)
- Daniel Andrade Rodrigues de Souza– Sicredi Vale do Piquiri Abcd PR/SP (Brazil)
- Genesis Manuel– Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives (Philippines)
- Jozell Byron– St. Vincent & the Grenadines Teachers Cooperative Credit Union
- Nicholas Campbell– Quality Network Cooperative Ltd. (Jamaica)
- Tanya Mueller Smith– Canadian Credit Union Association (Canada)
- Tarique Hercules– Police Co-operative Credit Union (St. Kitts and Nevis)
- Washington Ferreira Nascimento Filho– Sicredi Sudoeste MT/PA (Brazil)
GWLN Scholarship (Advancing Women in Leadership)
- Mary Bokosi – PolyMed SACCO (Malawi)
- Cristian Flores-Tapia– Rivermark Community Credit Union (USA)
- Digna Almonte– Coop Aspire (Dominican Republic)
- Heloisa Helena Lopes– Sicredi Pioneira RS (Brazil)
- Marcia Osborne– Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League Ltd. (Jamaica)
Driving Change Home
By providing global exposure and mentorship, these scholarships equip leaders like Brenda Obondo to return home with innovative ideas to drive meaningful change within their Saccos and local communities.
The 2026 scholarship program is supported by industry partners, including TruStage, Velera, Origence, and OneAZ Credit Union.
