COUNTY NEWS
Saccos have become the primary economic enablers for many people and have long been credited with igniting the spark of social development. During the 2025 International Cooperatives Day celebrations, also known as Ushirika Day, which was held on July 5th, the County government of Mombasa singled out Saccos as leaders in fostering economic development and improving the lives of most people in the county. Serving people from the financing sector, agriculture, transport, and the maritime business, cooperatives serve as the county’s economic growth engine.
Mombasa’s Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, who attended the celebrations at the Mukomani Showgrounds as the guest speaker, said that Ushirika celebrations indicate the growing influence cooperatives have and the tremendous economic development spirit embedded in them.
“We have not only gathered to honour a growing movement that promotes economic solidarity but to shine a spotlight on the vibrant cooperative spirit that thrives here in Mombasa County,” he said. He noted that Mombasa has over 150 cooperatives domiciled in the county and is also home to nearly 20 branches of national cooperatives.
The Deputy Governor said that through the County Cooperative Bill, the county government is closely working with the Cooperative Ministry to achieve its objectives, which include: promoting value addition, facilitating access to markets through cooperatives; providing criteria for operation, registration, regulation, licensing, and supervision of cooperatives; ensuring all cooperative infrastructure handling the movement in the county are given the necessary support; promoting good governance and cooperative ethical conduct; and entrenching alternative mechanisms for conflict resolution and misuse in the county cooperative sector.
The county government has initiated several reforms in transport cooperatives and has facilitated the registration of 16 transport cooperatives; it has also enhanced the fishing sector.
He called upon all stakeholders in the cooperative movement to adopt and embrace sustainable programs to strengthen partnerships and increase capacity for women and youth, diversify investment financially, and develop policy in cooperative-driven healthcare, housing, agro-processing, and social welfare projects.
Speaking at the event, Patrick Kilemi, the Public Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, said the national government is keen on promoting the conversion of small-scale traders in the coastal region, such as artisanal mining groups and beach management groups, into cooperatives. He said there could be no better option for these groups to prosper economically than to pursue the cooperative route. To support this economic dimension, the government has set a budget of KSH100 million that will benefit cotton farmers in Kwale and Lamu.
About Ksh100 million has been allocated in the 2025-2026 financial year to boost the cotton industry in Kwale. Phase one of the ginning setup is complete. “We are also crafting ways to revamp cotton farming in Lamu County; it has the best conditions to grow the crop,” Kilemi said.
Citing the KUSCCO financial scandal that caused tremors in the Sacco sector, the PS said the government is working tirelessly to bring reforms through the Cooperative Bill in the industry to prevent similar scandals from recurring.
“The government considers the cooperative movement as the primary enabler of financial inclusivity,” he said.
Best Performing Saccos Awarded
During Mombasa County Ushirika Day celebrations, the best-performing cooperatives were recognised and awarded.
In the Best Overall Cooperative Society category, Ports DT Sacco took the first prize, Bandari DT Sacco emerged in the second position, and Mafanikio DT Sacco followed in the third position.
Torch Sacco Society took the first prize in the Best Cooperative NWDT category, while Sisi Kwa Sisi and Tramom Saccos followed in positions 2 and 3, respectively.
Bandari DT Sacco received the Most Innovative DT Sacco award, followed by Ports DT Sacco and Tabasuri DT Sacco in that order.
In the NWDT category, Zogori Sacco took the first prize for the Most Innovative Sacco, followed by Tramom and Nyumba Generation Saccos, which followed in positions 2 and 3, respectively.
Under category 3 of Best Innovative Cooperative Societies, Signon Sacco took home the first prize, Hardware Sacco Society took the second, and Uchongaji Sacco Society took the third.
The celebrations also included sports activities like tug of war, where Saccos competed. Winners were presented with a certificate for their sports heroism.
