The air inside the hall was thick with the kind of tension that only hope can generate. Hundreds of eyes remained glued to the podium, breaths held in unison, as the hum of conversation died down to a singular, electric silence. Outside, the sun beat down on the Kilifi town streets, but inside, the atmosphere was cool, charged, and waiting for a spark. This was the grand finale of the Ekeza na Imarika Ushinde Gari promotion, and three lives were about to change forever.
For Julius Sadiki Charo, a member from Shingila, the morning had started like any other, filled with the routine anxieties of daily life. He hadn’t come expecting a miracle. He had simply come as a member who believed in the process. But when his name was called, time seemed to stutter.
Charo was the grand winner. The keys placed in his trembling hands belonged to a brand-new Toyota Probox. He confessed that his journey of consistent saving had been a road paved with grit, not gold. “It has not been easy,” he admitted, his hand resting on the hood of the car as if to ensure it was real. “But persistence pays.” To him, this wasn’t just a vehicle; it was a lifeline, a business opportunity, and a tangible receipt for years of financial discipline.
Charo’s victory was the crescendo of a campaign that has redefined member motivation. The Ekeza na Imarika Ushinde Gari drive was never just about the prizes. It was a masterclass in financial literacy disguised as a lottery.
The 2025 edition of the campaign was a resounding success. Designed to cultivate a culture of saving, the initiative attracted an impressive 1,383 entries. This surged past previous records. Throughout the campaign, weekly and monthly winners walked away with various rewards, but the finale was designed to stop the show.
And it did. While Charo drove off with the grand prize, the joy was shared. Dume Maone Kadzenga from Mazangoni secured the second prize—a Tuk-tuk. Though absent, his wife stood in his place, beaming. Staley Guyo Said, a former Sacco delegate from Watamu, claimed the third prize, a brand-new motorbike. “This will boost my daily activities,” Guyo said.
“The aim is to promote savings and investments among our members,” said Mr. Shariff Shehe, the Sacco’s Board of Directors Vice Chair, who represented Chairman Mr. John Ziro.
Shehe noted that the campaign had delivered on its core objective: strengthening the Sacco’s financial standing while empowering the individual. The numbers tell the story better than any speech could.
During the promotion period, over 11,200 new members joined the Imarika family. The campaign helped the Sacco raise KSh 70 million—a massive injection of capital that speaks to the trust members place in the institution.
“Last year, we had only one grand prize—a car. But due to the overwhelming success, we expanded to three major prizes,” Mr. Shehe said.
This expansion reflects the Sacco’s growth. Ranked the 15th largest Deposit Taking Sacco nationally by SASRA, Imarika has come a long way since its inception in 1974. With eight branches, a robust sacco agency network, and digital channels like Paybill 4404404 and mobile banking (*645#), the Sacco has successfully taken banking to the unbanked.
Representing CEO Mr. George Yongo, Credit Manager Japhet Nyamo commended the members for their participation and support.
“These funds will be channeled toward helping members achieve their development goals,” Nyamo said. The capital will cycle back to the community through affordable credit facilities and accessible loans, reinforcing the Sacco’s mission to empower members socio-economically.
The Ekeza na Imarika Ushinde Gari promotion is more than a game of chance. It is a testament to the power of unity. Whether it is through high annual dividends, salary-based loans, or the simple act of saving a few coins a day, Imarika Sacco continues to prove that when members invest in their Sacco, the Sacco invests in their dreams.
Why should you join Imarika Sacco?
- Low interest rates on loans
- High annual dividends and interest on deposits
- High interest rates on our fixed deposit accounts
- Access to 24 hours mobile banking channels and ATM’S
- Quick loan processing period
- Get a loan after 3 months of active share contribution
- Access to salary based loans up to 4 times your shares.
