New Sacco in Western to boost financial inclusion

Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya during Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali Boys' High School in Vihiga county last Friday /HILTON OTENYO

The government has launched a co-operative society in the Western region as part of efforts to promote financial inclusion and empower residents in the fight against poverty.

Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya launched the Tushirikiane Sacco at Emabole.

The Sacco draws members from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties.

It has already registered about 10,000 members across the five counties and aims to grow its membership to 250,000 by the end of the year.

“I am not launching this Sacco because I am the minister for Cooperatives and MSMEs. It is an independent institution since it has its own officials. I am only the vision carrier and chief promoter,” Oparanya said.

He said the initiative aligns with the government’s financial inclusion agenda under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, noting that members had come together following government encouragement.

Oparanya said interim officials would immediately begin the process of registering the Sacco through the county government and the Commissioner for Co-operatives.

He further announced that training of members on the benefits of cooperatives as a pathway out of poverty would begin this month.

The CS said co-operatives remain the most effective tool for community empowerment and urged more residents to join and form similar societies to support collective economic activities.

Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said lawmakers had been benchmarking in other countries and were preparing legislation to ensure Sacco officials are held accountable and members’ shares are protected.

“I am happy that this region has moved ahead and is in the process of forming their own Sacco to uplift themselves from poverty,” Shinali said. He is the Kakamega parliamentary caucus chairman.

Western regional commissioner Macharia Irungu said the cooperative initiative is a government-led effort aimed at lifting residents out of poverty through the cooperative movement.

He said the model offers the fastest way to address challenges in education, health and business development.

National government administration officers will also assist in mobilising residents to register as members.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera said the region has lagged behind due to low participation in co-operatives, adding the new Sacco will help mobilise dormant local resources.

 Oparanya has consistently encouraged residents in the region to embrace cooperatives as a vehicle for economic empowerment.

He has also been pushing for diversification into coffee farming to reduce reliance on sugarcane and boost household incomes.

Instant Analysis

The launch of the Tushirikiane Sacco reflects a renewed government push to use cooperatives as a grassroots tool for poverty reduction in Western Kenya. By pooling members across five counties, the initiative aims to deepen financial inclusion and mobilise local savings into productive investment. However, its ambitious target of 250,000 members within a year raises questions about sustainability, governance and member education. Success will depend on strong accountability structures, trust in management and effective financial literacy training. If well implemented, the Sacco could strengthen household incomes and regional economic activity, but weak oversight could undermine its intended impact.