Nairobi: Sauti Sacco members have been challenged to intensify membership recruitment drives to restore the vibrancy and glory of the half-century-old society patronized by media practitioners in the country dating back to the early 70s. Nairobi Sub County Cooperatives Officer Rosaline Mwithiga asked delegates to embark on serious recruitment campaigns to bridge the shrinking numbers of active members by introducing attractive products aligned to the needs of loan applicants.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwithiga addressed the Sauti Sacco annual delegates meeting at a Nairobi hotel, emphasizing that the society must set achievable targets for delegates to attract new active members. She expressed concern over the increasing numbers of dormant and retired members, which could jeopardize the future of the SACCO. Mwithiga attributed the dwindling numbers of active members to low loan uptake and deposits, thus underscoring the need to strategically market the 53-year-old SACCO to younger members for long-term sustainability.
Mwithiga revealed that loan uptake decreased from 132 in 2025 to 124 in 2026, while members’ deposits declined from 187 million to 181 million shillings during the same period. She highlighted ongoing reforms in the cooperative movement as crucial for enhancing governance and accountability within the corporate sector. She noted that the Co-operative Bill 2025 is currently at the mediation stage and is expected to soon become law, enabling the government to enforce it effectively.
She further stressed the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA)’s role in maintaining standards by strengthening financial stability to offer insurance to members and protect their savings. Reforms now require that SACCOs’ audited accounts be signed by both the board and management, ensuring greater accountability.
Mwithiga also underscored the importance of system audits to verify performance and transaction transparency, mentioning that other reforms, like the inclusion of a QR code on audit reports, are key to establishing the auditor’s registration status. She reiterated that establishing Deposit Guarantee Funds to protect members’ savings from unforeseen losses is a priority, with the draft review law pending in the Senate.
Sauti Sacco Chairman Elly Ndwiga expressed optimism about the society’s direction, noting that dividends increased by 1 percent this year, rising from 6 to 7 percent on deposits while shares remained at 10 percent. He assured delegates of a major restructuring exercise to recruit more members, aiming for a 10 percent dividend on deposits in future years.
Ndwiga acknowledged the board’s efforts to address low loan uptake by implementing a strategic plan that includes introducing new products, extending loan repayment periods, and offering loan top-ups. He also announced the launch of digital platforms like mobile banking and the expansion of guarantees to include collaterals and other properties as security measures.
The chair highlighted the opening of the SACCO’s common bond rule, which has expanded the recruitment scope to include members from the informal sector, whose membership currently accounts for thirty percent of the society.
