The Kenya Teachers SACCOs Association (KETSA) is emerging as a powerful advocacy voice for SACCOs within the financial sector in the county. The Association is championing SACCOs nationwide, ensuring that both county and national governments understand the unique needs and concerns of teacher-based SACCOs. By engaging in constructive dialogue with key stakeholders—including government bodies, regulatory authorities, and financial institutions—KETSA is positively influencing industry policies and decisions.
With the government recently introducing a raft of policy shifts for the cooperative sector, KETSA has positioned itself at the center of these reforms, playing a crucial role in their implementation. Recently, a Committee of Experts appointed by Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, presented a cooperative transformation report to President William Ruto. This report is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the movement.
“KETSA was invited by the Committee of Experts, and we presented our input, which they factored into the final report. They were especially impressed by our recommendation for a shared platform, and we even assisted in drafting the policies that will govern its implementation,” said Mr. Robert Njue, KETSA Board Chairman.
He noted that the government has been receptive to the Association’s viewpoint on cooperative matters. This trust stems from KETSA’s strict compliance with all regulatory requirements mandated by the Ministry and its consistent submission of audited financial accounts to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA).
Understanding that strength lies in collective power, KETSA has fostered a culture of collaboration, weaving a network of partnerships that extends beyond its immediate membership. Recently, the association partnered with UNICAF to educate and train SACCO leaders.
“We are keen on improving our members’ skills and knowledge, which will ultimately enhance governance in SACCOs. Our goal is to be at the heart of financial services through advocacy and training, helping our SACCOs expand,” Mr. Njue said in an interview with Co-op News. He added that KETSA is also pursuing a partnership with the Cooperative University of Kenya.
“Our goal at KETSA is to upgrade our services and elevate our market presence to match any financial institution, all while maintaining our cooperative SACCO identity. We urge SACCOs that have not yet joined us to do so. Numbers are our strength, and with strength comes the power to ensure our voice is heard,” he stated.
These collaborative efforts were front and center during KETSA’s highly successful 5th Annual Leaders’ Summit, held at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu. Themed “Innovation and Impact: SACCOs as the Ultimate One-Stop Shop,” the summit brought together SACCO leaders and managers to brainstorm emerging market trends and strategies for upgrading performance.
“We want to grow with the changing times,” Mr. Njue explained. “SACCOs need to become one-stop shops for their members. Today’s members want a ‘supermarket’ environment—a place where they can get everything they need under one roof without moving up and down looking for different services.”
He noted that progressive SACCOs are now providing not just tailored financial solutions, but also insurance coverage and financial advisory services. To further support this integration, KETSA introduced M-Kanja, a digital financial switch that interconnects SACCOs. The platform enables real-time financial transactions between different SACCOs and directly to any bank account.
KETSA CEO Forum Chairperson, CPA Joyce Ndegwa, echoed these sentiments, noting that SACCOs operate in an agile environment marked by rapid technological advancements.
“Our members’ needs are changing and diversifying every day. We interact with a broad spectrum of members, including the youth and women,” she said. “To meet these needs, we have to be innovative—not only in technology but also in the products and services we offer.”
CPA Ndegwa emphasized that the Association is pushing for regulatory reforms while conducting intensive training for SACCOs. “We are supporting SACCOs to ensure that all guidelines issued by the SASRA, or the Ministry, are strictly adhered to for the benefit of the entire sector,” she told Co-op News.
By partnering with fintech companies and other industry players, KETSA is leveraging digital transformation to improve service delivery and member value. “We have to walk hand in hand with people who have the expertise, experience, and technology so we can leverage their advantages,” she added.
Going into the future, CPA Ndegwa outlined KETSA’s five-year goal to enhance support for SACCOs, helping them operate in full compliance with required standards. “Our key strategy is self-regulation. We want to standardize the way our SACCOs do business, ensuring they remain in the regulator’s good books and above all serve members effectively,” she said.
Ultimately, KETSA serves as a vital knowledge-sharing hub. According to KETSA CEO Ivy Kageni, the Association facilitates the exchange of best practices among its member SACCOs while proactively addressing industry challenges.
“We are focused not only on improving governance within SACCOs but also on helping them leverage technology to deliver efficient and convenient services to their members,” Ms. Kageni said.
