Kitui County’s top-performing savings and credit cooperatives received top honours as thousands gathered to celebrate this year’s International Cooperatives Day, held under the theme “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World.”
Univision DT Sacco emerged as the overall best Sacco in the county, sweeping several categories including best urban Sacco, top performer in market penetration, and leader in technology adoption. Bestrock Sacco was a consistent runner-up across multiple categories, ranking second in both market penetration and technology uptake, and also earning the best rural Sacco title.
Other notable winners included Kwa Vonza Boda Boda Sacco, first to hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting, followed by Univision DT Sacco and Kamaki Farmers Sacco. Wikililye Boda Boda Sacco was named best Boda Boda Sacco, while Kimuto Women Sacco took the top women’s Sacco award, ahead of Kaliku Women Star Sacco and Matinyani Women Sacco. Kinatwa Sacco was recognised as the best Matatu Sacco, and Kitui Teachers Housing Cooperative Society Limited was honoured as the most resilient Sacco, with Wikwatyo Women Sacco also recognised in the resilience category.
The awards were presented during celebrations held in July 4 at the Kitui British American Tobacco (BAT) Grounds in Kitui Town, marking UN’s 32nd and the world’s 104th International Cooperatives Day. The event was organised jointly by the Kitui County government, the national government, the International Cooperative Alliance and the Cooperative Alliance of Kenya.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, Kitui County’s Trade, Industry, MSME, Innovation and Cooperatives Minister Rose Mawia Mutuku said cooperatives remain a cornerstone of the country’s socio-economic development, supporting savings, credit access, agricultural marketing and housing. Citing figures from the Cooperative Alliance of Kenya, she noted the national movement comprises over 25,000 registered societies with 14 million members, contributing 30 to 45 percent of GDP.
Locally, Mutuku said Kitui now has 463 registered cooperative societies serving 136,675 members, up from 82,972 in 2022, with the capital base growing from KSh 8 billion to KSh17.3 billion shillings. She credited the growth to the governor’s efforts since 2022 to register sector-specific cooperatives, strengthen internal governance, revive dormant societies, and support technology adoption.
Thirty-one dormant cooperatives have been revived, and over 12,000 members trained in value addition and internal regulation.
Univision DT Sacco Treasurer Simon Muema Munyoki, who also chairs the Cooperative Alliance of Kenya’s Kitui branch, urged cooperators to remain active and called on Saccos to play a role in promoting peace ahead of upcoming general elections. He also highlighted his Sacco’s motor vehicle and boda boda insurance services, and thanked the county government for its continued support of the cooperative sector.
