NewFortis Sacco has revised its bylaws to establish a delegate system, marking the first such overhaul in the institution’s 50-year history.
Members approved the changes at a Special General Meeting held recently. Going forward, members will elect delegates, who will in turn elect the Sacco’s 12-member board, creating a formal link between the wider membership and its leadership.
Board chairman John Githinji said the reform grew out of requests submitted by members across all branches in 2025, who wanted a stronger voice in how the institution is run. He noted the change also aligns with a 2025 directive from the Ministry of Co-operatives requiring Saccos with more than 5,000 members to adopt delegate-based governance.
Githinji said the new arrangement is expected to ease oversight of the Sacco as its membership base keeps expanding, while ensuring delegates help relay members’ priorities into board decision-making.
Before the vote, the Sacco ran an outreach and education campaign explaining the delegate, champion and agency concepts to members in Nyeri, Nairobi, Kiambu, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nakuru, as well as members living abroad. Feedback from those sessions was compiled and shared with members ahead of the meeting that ultimately amended the bylaws. Githinji added that the new structures should also help the Sacco reach members in more areas and support business expansion.
NewFortis operates branches in Nyeri, Karatina, Nanyuki, Othaya and Nairobi CBD.
The Sacco announced delegate elections with prospective delegates required to have been Sacco members for at least 48 months, hold non-withdrawable deposits of at least KSh300,000 above their average savings, and have a minimum of KSh20,000 in share capital.
Candidates must also satisfy Chapter Six requirements of the Kenyan Constitution, be in good standing on loans and deposits, and route their salaries through the Sacco.
