Meru County’s cooperative movement received a major boost after four leading savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) scooped top honors at the 104th Ushirika Day celebrations, cementing the county’s reputation as one of Kenya’s strongest cooperative hubs.
The awards, presented during the county celebrations at Kaaga Methodist Church Grounds, recognized excellence in capitalization, technology, governance, risk management, credit administration, and member services.
Jamii Yetu Sacco emerged as one of the biggest winners in the Community-Based Category after taking first position as Best Sacco in Capitalization, second position as Best Performing DT Sacco, and third position in both Best DT Sacco in Credit Management and Most Efficient DT Sacco.
Yetu DT Sacco also excelled, winning Best DT Sacco in Technology Optimization (Agriculture-Based Saccos) and finishing third in Capitalization and Member Management.
The Yetu Sacco CEO, Denis Kirimi, who was the MC of the day, was all smiles for the recognition. Solution Sacco Society Ltd was recognized for having the Largest Branch Network, Best Risk Management, and Highest Interest Rate on Members’ Deposits in Imenti North. Times U Sacco also received recognition for excellence in Member Management, Risk Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The award-winning Saccos attributed their success to prudent financial management, innovation, strong governance, and the continued support of members, boards, and staff.
Chief Protocol Officer in the office of the Deputy President, Gideon Kimathi, urged residents to join Saccos.
“President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki have Meru residents’ interests at heart. He has appointed an Ameru son as Cooperatives PS to safeguard the sector. Let us take advantage of the office. Let’s stop playing Pata Potea politics,” Kimathi said.
Speaking during the celebrations, Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi hailed Meru as a model county in the cooperative movement, saying its success had positioned it among Kenya’s leading cooperative economies.
Sacco members who spoke during the event called for intervention on outstanding cooperative debts, affordable fertilizer, increased coffee seedlings, and support for Afya Millers.
“Meru is a model county in cooperative development. My congratulations go to the leadership and all cooperative societies for the milestones they have achieved. Meru is home to cooperatives,” he said. Kilemi said he has also factored in the allocation of Sh100 million for the construction of a Cotton Ginnery in Meru to boost the economy of Buuri, Tigania, and Igembe regions.
The PS announced that the national government will spearhead the revival of the once-thriving Afya Millers, saying the factory remains critical to value addition and the local economy.
Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi also praised the county’s cooperative movement, saying organized cooperatives have significantly improved household incomes.
The two PSs urged residents to support locally produced goods and announced plans to distribute coffee seedlings in Meru while encouraging farmers to diversify into cocoa, avocado, and coffee farming.
Meru Governor Rev. Mutuma M’Ethingia, who presided over the county celebrations alongside the Principal Secretaries, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening cooperatives through collaboration with the national government.
Mutuma challenged the security agencies in the county to improve security in coffee factories that have greatly suffered theft of coffee and the killing of guards.
He said strong cooperatives remain central to economic growth, as reflected in Ushirika Day’s global theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World.”
National Cooperatives Commissioner David Obonyo stated that cooperatives support communities in creating jobs, uplifting lives, and fostering a thriving economy.
