Ushuru SACCO CEO William Pudha, receives an award from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, during the 103rd Ushirika Day celebrations held at the KICC, Nairobi, on July 12, 2025/HANDOUTPrime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising Kenya’s economy through a robust and empowered cooperative movement, placing the sector at the heart of national transformation
Speaking at the 103rd Ushirika Day and International Cooperative Day celebrations held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Mudavadi emphasised the critical role of cooperatives in implementing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He highlighted strategic focus areas under BETA—including revitalising agriculture, expanding access to healthcare and affordable housing, empowering MSMEs, and boosting digital and creative economies—stating that cooperatives will serve as key drivers in these initiatives.
“A strong cooperative movement is essential for sustainable development and economic inclusivity. Through the Cooperative Bill No. 7 of 2024, we aim to enhance transparency, governance, and inclusivity, particularly by engaging our youth and women in leadership,” said Mudavadi.
Currently before the Senate, the Cooperative Bill 2024 is poised to usher in a new era of cooperative governance.
Mudavadi also announced plans to review the SACCO Societies Act, promising tighter oversight and improved accountability to rebuild public trust in SACCOs.
The government, he noted, has engaged local and international experts to guide the reform process.
Among the major financial interventions highlighted were the Sh4.75 billion Coffee Cherry Advance Fund and a Sh6.8 billion debt waiver targeting distressed coffee cooperatives.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Wycliffe Oparanya echoed Mudavadi’s sentiments, praising Kenya’s more than 30,000 active cooperatives for their significant contributions to agriculture, housing, healthcare, and financial inclusion.
Oparanya outlined a raft of reforms, including the proposed Cooperatives Bill, amendments to the SACCO Societies Act, and the establishment of a Deposit Guarantee Fund, a Central Liquidity Fund, and a national shared digital platform.
“Digital transformation, enhanced governance, and inclusivity are the cornerstones of a sustainable cooperative sector. We must embrace diversity and innovation, and that starts with greater participation of our youth and women,” he said.
The event, themed “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World,” drew thousands of cooperators, policymakers, and development partners who gathered to celebrate the progress and potential of Kenya’s cooperative movement.
Among the day’s standout recognitions was Ushuru Sacco, honoured as one of the top-performing Tier 1 SACCOs in the country.
CEO William Pudha lauded the Sacco’s transformation from a customs-based cooperative into an open-bond institution now serving over 10,200 members.
“Our flexible monthly contributions starting at Sh1,000 and competitive loan rates between 1 per cent and 1.25 per cent have allowed us to remain member-focused while achieving sustainable growth,” Pudha said.
FINNLEMM Sacco also received top honors in the non-deposit-taking SACCO category under Sh5 billion in assets. Chairperson George Kamau Rugu shared the Sacco’s four-decade journey from serving staff of diplomatic missions and NGOs to becoming a thriving cooperative with assets surpassing Sh2 billion and over 3,700 members.
“Our success has been driven by strong member support, innovation through technology, and continuous learning. We are now preparing to transition into a deposit-taking Sacco to broaden our product offerings and deepen financial inclusion,” Kamau revealed.
