Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has issued a sharp call to action to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), demanding stricter enforcement of the law to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s multi-billion-shilling Sacco sector.
Speaking during the 11th Annual Sacco Leaders Convention, Justice Mwilu, who is also Sheria Sacco Board Chairperson, emphasized that regulatory oversight is not a matter of negotiation or request, but a legal mandate that must be executed without hesitation.
“The law requires you to do certain things, and when the law speaks, it has spoken. It is not a ‘tafadhali’ situation,” Justice Mwilu stated. “Just do what the law says. I hope to see that in action. Do not threaten if you cannot bite, and do not bark if you are not prepared to take action.”
She urged cooperative leaders to prioritize the revival of the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO). She warned that the collapse of such an institution would jeopardize Kenya’s hard-earned reputation as a global and continental powerhouse in the cooperative movement.
Addressing the growing trend of litigation within the sector, Justice Mwilu advised Saccos to seek alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than dragging KUSCCO through the court system. She suggested that a unified approach to internal challenges is essential for the long-term stability of the movement.
Closing her address with a challenge to her peers in leadership, the DCJ noted that the true measure of a leader lies in tangible results rather than rhetoric.
“I do not think a leader is defined by how well they speak, but by how well they act,” she said.
