Editor's Review

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru stated that the SACCOs are part of the Wezesha Kirinyaga Program.

The County Government of Kirinyaga has provided training to 172 officials from newly established ward-based multi-value chain SACCOs.

In a statement on Friday, January 10, the county government revealed that the officials, drawn from 20 wards, were trained in key areas such as money lending, insurance, loan collateral, and other best practices in SACCO management.

The county stated that the SACCOs, which currently have a membership of about 6,000 farmers, were established to offer affordable operational capital, savings and credit services, and access to farm inputs for farmers.

“Their membership currently stands at around 6,000 farmers involved in priority value chains such as avocado, tomatoes, poultry, banana, dairy goat farmers among others. The farmers were earlier organized into Common Interest Groups (CIGs),” read part of the statement.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru stated that the SACCOs are part of the Wezesha Kirinyaga Program, an initiative by her administration to support farmers in boosting production.

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She explained that her government facilitated the formation of the SACCOs by providing office equipment such as computers and printers, along with Ksh12.3 million to cover their initial operating costs.

The officials were trained at the Kutus Catholic Church Hall.

At the same time, the county boss noted that the initiative is part of a strategy to position Kirinyaga farmers as the leading suppliers of raw agricultural produce to the upcoming agro-processing factories at the Sagana Industrial Park.

Kirinyaga County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Dr. John Gachara, reported that the SACCOs have collectively raised Ksh14.5 million in share capital, registration, and savings since their establishment.

Additionally, they have issued loans totalling approximately Ksh6.5 million to members.

Dr. Gachara maintained that the capacity-building efforts aim to safeguard members' resources through prudent SACCO management.

The training, conducted at the Kutus Catholic Church Hall, was facilitated in partnership with CIC Insurance and Cooperative Bank.