The Garissa County Government in partnership with USAID has embarked on training Sacco management committees, in a bid to ensure prudent supervision of the local co-operative societies.
According to County Cooperative Director, Abdullahi Dagane, local producers have realized the benefits of coming together as Saccos, which has led to a growth in the Sacco movements in the County, where for a long time, the few that existed were inactive.
Dagane said that Garissa County has 56 cooperatives societies, of which nine are registered as cooperatives and 47 are Savings and Credit Societies (Saccos) adding 36 of the cooperatives are active, 20 dormant and two have collapsed.
“The total registered membership among them is slightly over 5,000 members, with a share capital turnover of Sh. 8 million,” Dagane said.
Livestock Marketing Systems (LMS) Boss, John Kutwa, said they were working with the Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK), to digitize the training module, to ensure the training was accessible anytime and anywhere to co-operative societies.
He added that LMS had also supported the capacity building of all the 10 staff from the directorate of co-operatives, to effectively fulfill their mandate in developing the local industry.
Shaban Sahal, the Sub-County Livestock Production Officer, said the County Government was closely monitoring the activities of the 36 active co-operatives, to avoid sad stories of members losing their investments like it has happened with societies in other parts of the country.
Sahal called on the trained management committee members, to use the knowledge gained to run their Saccos vigilantly and professionally to achieve their goals.
By Erick Kyalo
