Fresh Leadership Sparks Renewed Push for SACCO Growth in Busia
Busia county Residents have been urged to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to improve their economic situation and advance financial development.
A renewed wave of optimism is sweeping through the Busia County Assembly SACCO, with leaders and members rallying residents to embrace Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) as engines of financial empowerment and community development.
The call follows a closely watched leadership election held after a court ordered a repeat of the voting process—an exercise that not only reaffirmed democratic principles within the cooperative but also set the stage for a new era of accountability and growth.
In the election, CPA Gabriel Erambo was re-elected as chairman, securing another term at the helm of the SACCO. In his acceptance remarks, Erambo thanked members for the trust they had once again placed in him, promising to steer the organization toward greater transparency, efficiency, and financial stability.
Central to his agenda is the recovery of over KSh 40 million in outstanding loans owed by members. Erambo struck a firm tone, warning that decisive action will be taken against chronic defaulters, noting that protecting members’ savings remains a top priority for the leadership.
" I also take this opportunity to thank the people of Busia, to thank our staff, to thank our honourable members who have reelected me back to office. We've had around five issues which we want to strengthen our circle. Our main objective is that we have over 40 million that is out with the defaulters. So with this new team that I've been given by members, we are assuring Kenyans and the people of this Busia County Assembly sacco that they tried to remove me because of going to claim sacco money, we even brought auctioneers here but those defaulters bribed the auctioneers with over 1million."~ CPA Erambo
In a significant development, the SACCO has now received approval to list loan defaulters with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB). The move is expected to instill financial discipline among members and encourage timely loan repayment, a key factor in sustaining the cooperative’s lending capacity.
Members have welcomed the new leadership, expressing confidence that the SACCO is on the path to growth. They have also called on more people to join, emphasizing that the strength of the cooperative lies in unity, increased membership, and active participation.
Observers note that SACCOs continue to play a vital role in expanding access to affordable credit, especially for individuals who may not easily qualify for conventional banking services. In Busia, the cooperative movement has increasingly become a pillar of grassroots economic development.
"And we kindly ask each and every one of us to be keepers of our SACCO and to ensure that our SACCO proceeds on by recruitment of members, because it is through membership that our SACCO will grow to the next level. This SACCO is going far places. It is going to be among the best SACCOs in Busia County Assembly SACCO, and we endeavour to work together with the management that has been elected to ensure that this SACCO grows to the next level"~ CPA Erambo
Even as the SACCO charts a new course, those who lost in the election have been urged to accept the outcome and work hand in hand with the current leadership. Stakeholders say unity and cooperation will be essential in building a resilient institution capable of meeting the financial needs of its members.
With renewed leadership, stricter financial controls, and a growing call for inclusivity, the Busia County Assembly SACCO now stands at a pivotal moment—poised to strengthen its role as a trusted financial partner and a catalyst for economic transformation in the region.
"This matter wasn’t easy to take to court—it was a fight. But I know this is a hardworking person. If we give him a job and add more responsibilities, he will do it and bring people together so we can work as a team.For all the members who took us to court, what I can say is: let us learn to respect the leadership that is in office. Not all of us can be elected, but once a member has been elected, let us respect that elected member. To those who have been fighting within the circle, we want to urge you to come back. " ~ Hon Beatrice Akinyi Apwapo
