Cooperative Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi has lauded Unaitas Sacco’s growth, which has seen it register 493,000 members.
Speaking at Ikumbi Primary School in Kigumo, Murang’a County, when he launched the fruit trees planting drive, Kilemi said Unaitas Sacco was setting an example for other saccos.
“I urge other saccos to visit Unaitas for benchmarking as it started with 4,000 members 32 years ago, and the membership has risen to 493,000,” said Kilemi.
Unaitas Sacco CEO Martin Muhoho said the board, in a five-year strategic plan, plans to increase sacco asset base to Sh60 billion and register more members.
Muhoho revealed that Unaitas Sacco is leading in serving the rural community, thus ranked the best in service delivery.
He said that the tree planting was launched to commemorate the 32nd anniversary.
“By 2030, we are focusing on having a million members, and continuing with generating savings and issuing of loans,” said Muhoho.
The CEO noted that on the first day, 70,000 trees were planted in 11 primary schools while learners were issued seed balls to plant in their homes.
“In Othaya constituency, the trees were planted at Gathumbi primary school, and next year more seedlings will be distributed to the learning institutions,” he said.
Sacco Chairman Michael Mureithi said that the organisation was formed after the commercial banks closed branches in Murang’a, after the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank stopped lending support to the Kenyan government 34 year ago.
He explained that 4,000 tea farmers came together and started Muramati Sacco which catered for their financial needs after the closure of banks.
The trees were planted at Ikumbi, Wahu, Kabirwa, Muguru, Kimandi, Ndunyu Chege, Kairo, Muiria, Gathaithi, and Kibutha primary schools in Murang’a. The tree planting also also in Gathumbi Primary School in Othaya.
By Boniface Gikandi
