Douglas Mwiti 
- NCBA Bank Organizes Forum to Improve SACCO Governance Amid Growth;
NCBA Bank has hosted the 3rd annual SACCO Banking Customer Empowerment Forum at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, that brought together stakeholders to address urgent issues of governance and strategy for sustainable growth within the cooperative sector.
The forum emphasized the requirement for good governance frameworks.
John Gachora, NCBA Group Managing Director, underscored the huge responsibility that accompanies growth of the sector.
“SACCOs have over Sh1 trillion in assets.Such a huge growth comes with a level of responsibility that calls for robust institutional reforms.
Good governance has to come first.We need institutions to keep the management under control,” he said.
He also cemented NCBA’s commitment to the sector, noting their dedication to walking with SACCOs in their development.
Gachora added that NCBA’s corporate banking solutions are designed to allow SACCOs to manage liquidity, get digital, and serve members well.
Tirus Mwithiga, NCBA Group Director, Corporate and Investment Banking Advisory, highlighted SACCOs’ own long history of being the financial pillar for Kenyans who want to invest.
“For decades, SACCOs have served as the financial backbone for communities in Kenya, enabling Kenyans to save, invest wisely, and prosper,” Mwithiga said.
Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, CEC for Business & Hustler Opportunities, Nairobi County, reiterated that one of the main reasons institutions fail is governance.
“Let us all join hands as stakeholders in supporting strong governance in SACCOS,” she noted.
David Obonyo, Co-operatives Commissioner, Ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development, cited a critical product re-assessment, saying nearly 30 percent of loans SACCOs are giving their members are going into housing.
“Giving someone a 4-year loan cannot be sustainable for construction. We need to rethink our products,” he warned, urging a relook in terms of long-term viability.
The Insights shared at this forum are anticipated to trigger beneficial changes across the cooperative movement, fostering a more resilient and well-governed SACCO sector for the benefit of all Kenyans.
