INTERVIEW WITH CO-OP’S CHAMPIONS
“Trust Is Our Foundation”
Mr John Ziro, Board Chairman, speaks on why Imarika DT has become a Sacco of Choice for everyone
Imarika Sacco was founded in 1974 by teachers in Kilifi. Fifty years later, it has grown into one of the country’s most prominent Saccos. What has been the driving force behind this remarkable longevity?
There is no single secret, really. What has happened over the years is that people have developed a genuine trust in Imarika. That trust is our greatest asset. The local community believes in us, and those who understand how Saccos and cooperatives work know how we operate and how secure we are. They know their funds are safe with us. That confidence, built over decades, is what has kept Imarika growing.
How have you managed to ensure Imarika Sacco thrives despite a tough economic environment?
When I took over as chairman, the asset base stood at around Ksh 11 billion. Three years later, we are at Ksh 16 billion. We do not take that for granted. It has been hard work, plain and simple. We have invested heavily in member education — particularly around personal financial management and investment — and we have made a deliberate effort to raise Imarika’s visibility. Earlier, Imarika was very much present but many people simply did not know we existed. We changed that through active marketing and community engagement. As awareness has grown, so has our membership, and today Imarika is becoming the Sacco of choice at the local level. But we are not stopping there. Our ambition is to be the Sacco of choice for everyone, well beyond Kenya.
Speaking of reach, what is your expansion strategy?
Branch outreach has been central to our strategy. We have opened new branches in Tana River, Lamu, and along the South Coast, which means we now cover nearly the entire Coast Region. Beyond physical branches, we have significantly strengthened our digital presence. We operate two USSD codes — *645# and *440# — giving members more access points than before. We also have members in Nairobi, Western Kenya, Meru, and in the diaspora. Our mobile banking platform essentially serves as a branch in itself, and we continue to invest in it.
You recently upgraded your core banking system. How has that transformed the experience for your members?
The upgrade has been transformative. We now have a customer portal on our website where members can interact directly with their accounts — checking balances, accessing statements, and managing their savings — all without visiting a branch. That member portal has been a significant step forward for us. It brings the Sacco to wherever the member is, and that kind of convenience matters in today’s world.
“We are yet to reach the top. the Imarika DT Sacco story is just getting started. you bring the dream; we walk with you.”
Agribusiness has become a key area of focus for Imarika. How significant is it to your growth strategy?
Agribusiness is where we see enormous potential, and we are moving deliberately in that direction. We want to engage both existing and new members through agricultural lending — particularly in cassava farming and dairy farming. We are already developing specific products for this sector and are in the process of acquiring the necessary facilities. The model is straightforward: we provide the financing, the farmer implements, and repays over a defined period, with a grace period built in. Agriculture is a real economy driver at the Coast, and Imarika wants to be at the centre of that.
Last year, members received a dividend of 15%. How do you plan to sustain that while also keeping credit affordable?
This is something we have planned for carefully within our ten-year strategic plan. Sustainability is the keyword. We do not want to promise what we cannot deliver, and we do not want to strain the Sacco in pursuit of numbers that look impressive on paper. If I am being frank, we would rather our members benefit from cheaper loans than from higher dividends. Affordable credit is what genuinely changes lives — it helps members move out of poverty, build businesses, and improve their households. A bigger dividend cheque is gratifying, but cheaper credit is transformative. That is the philosophy we are guided by.
Finally, what is your long-term vision for Imarika — and reflecting on your tenure as chairman, how do you feel about the journey so far?
The vision is clear: Imarika will become a national Sacco. Not just the Sacco of choice for people from the Coast Region, but for Kenya as a whole. We have the capacity. What we are doing is managing our growth carefully, because rapid, unmanaged expansion creates problems. We are being deliberate, and we are building sustainably.
As for my own reflection, it has been a deeply fulfilling time. In three years, we have grown the asset base by nearly KSh 5 billion. That kind of growth, achieved through teamwork and member trust, is something I am genuinely proud of. I want to thank our members, the board, and every member of staff who has worked hard to make this happen. It has not been easy, but these people have shown real dedication.
We have not reached the top. Not even close. There is enormous space above us, and that is exciting. Imarika is moving, and very soon, we will truly be walking the dreams of our members. That is where we have always started — you bring the dream, and we walk with you to achieve it.
