COUNTY ENGAGES 23 SACCOS IN VALUE CHAIN BOOST

Kakamega County has intensified its push to strengthen grassroots financial institutions after convening a meeting of leaders from 23 selected Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The meeting brought together representatives from 23 wards across the County to deliberate on how cooperatives can effectively anchor agricultural transformation at the community level. County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Mr. Mophat Mandela, underscored the central role SACCOs play in empowering farmers and stimulating rural economies.

“SACCOs are the backbone of our community economy, When they are managed well, they uplift families, empower farmers and stimulate growth.” he said.

He, however, cautioned cooperative leaders against mismanagement and personal interests that could weaken the institutions entrusted to them. He reminded them that public trust, once lost, is difficult to regain and that the success of the programme depends largely on integrity and accountability at the grassroots.

Mr. Mandela challenged the SACCO officials to use the loans and grants extended to them to genuinely improve livelihoods rather than pursue short-term personal benefits.

Under the programme, each of the 23 SACCOs will receive an Inclusion Grant of KSh 300,000 from NAVCDP, a World Bank and Government of Kenya-funded initiative. The funds are intended to strengthen the cooperatives by supporting member recruitment and registration, as well as enhancing operational capacity to effectively participate in agricultural value chain development.

Also present at the meeting were Chief Officer, Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr. Emmanuel Kariuki, his ICT counterpart, Mr. Suleiman Wanakeya, and Ms. Merina Atsiaya, County coordinator, NAVCDP.