The Co-operative and SACCO Sector Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons meeting has concluded after several days of deliberations in Mombasa, with leaders agreeing on a new reform agenda aimed at strengthening unity, improving governance and repositioning Kenya’s co-operative movement for long-term sustainability.
The meeting, convened by the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) in collaboration with the Institute of Directors Kenya (IODK) under the theme:
How to strengthen Board Effectiveness and Institutional Compliance in light of the New Cooperative Bill 2024 and SASRA Regulations
The meeting brought together co-operative leaders from across the country to deliberate on the future of the sector in light of evolving governance and regulatory requirements.
At the centre of the discussions was a renewed call for unity within the co-operative movement. CAK Chairman, Daniel Marube, urged SACCO leaders to work collectively to safeguard the independence of the sector, noting that stronger collaboration among institutions remains essential in protecting members’ interests and preserving the identity of Kenya’s co-operative model during ongoing reforms.
“The introduction of the New cooperative Bill 2024 and the increasing focus on compliance under SASRA requires cooperative leaders to strengthen accountability, ethical governance and institutional oversight and strategic leadership,” Marube further added.
Intensive deliberations also focused on governance and compliance, with participants exploring ways of aligning institutional leadership and operations with the New Cooperative Bill 2024 and SASRA Regulations.
Leaders emphasized the need for stronger accountability, ethical leadership, board effectiveness and institutional oversight to ensure co-operatives remain resilient and responsive to emerging policy changes.
A major milestone of the meeting was the formation of the Co-operative Leaders’ Caucus, a new leadership platform designed to strengthen advocacy, representation and coordination across the co-operative and SACCO sector.
The caucus is expected to provide a unified voice for sector leadership while enhancing engagement on governance priorities and supporting implementation of sector reforms.
Discussions also explored sustainable mechanisms for engagement between CAK and co-operative leaders to promote continuous dialogue, coordinated action, and long-term sector transformation.
The resolutions reached in Mombasa are expected to shape a new chapter for Kenya’s co-operative movement by strengthening governance systems, enhancing compliance and building a more united and future-ready sector.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
