As the number of saccos and cooperative societies keeps growing, the oversight role of the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) and county cooperative directors becomes a challenge due to the geographic spread of the sector across the country.
Hesbon Karabai, Chair of the Ushirika Day Coordination Committee in Kirinyaga County, said this reality underscores the urgent need for cooperatives to embrace a culture of self-regulation-backed by strong internal controls, regular audits, and proactive governance practices.
He made the remarks during the 103rd International Co-operative Day and the 31st UN International Day of Cooperatives celebrations at Kirinyaga University. "This time, we move beyond reliance on external intervention and adopt a mindset where we hold ourselves and each other accountable," Hesbon said.
Hesbon added that cooperative leaders need to take cognisance of sons and daughters who have come of age and are demanding a place at the table, noting youth are no longer willing to be promised the future as leaders of tomorrow, but they would rather co-create the future with us. "Let us, as the cooperatives and cooperative leaders, have a key focus on the youth agenda and respond with action-by simplifying cooperative membership processes, creating youth-friendly products and services, building youth-led cooperatives, and investing in technology, creative industries, agribusiness, and green jobs. And including youth in decision-making and governance.
