Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has required all Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) in Kenya to adopt digital systems and shared services for licensing. He announced this on April 9, 2026, at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County, aiming to improve transparency, efficiency, and internal controls. The measures form part of reforms under the Cooperative Bill.
Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya spoke at a meeting at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County on April 9, 2026. He stated, "Digitisation is no longer optional. All SACCOs will be required to integrate technology and adopt shared services as a condition for licensing to enhance transparency, efficiency and internal controls."
Oparanya announced plans to strengthen the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) for better oversight. Other reforms include stricter vetting of SACCO leadership, enforcement of governance standards, and enhanced safeguards for members' savings. These address concerns over mismanagement and weak supervision in the sector.
The government intends to consolidate cooperatives to tackle inefficiencies. Oparanya noted, "We are driving consolidation within the sector to address inefficiencies, noting that only a small proportion of registered cooperatives are financially viable."
He added, "Moving forward, we will encourage mergers and take decisive action on non-performing entities." The regulations also introduce a stabilisation fund and deposit guarantee mechanism to protect institutions and members during financial distress. The government is developing a 30-year Cooperative Movement Strategic Plan.
