Namoruputh, 8th Dec 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Turkana County First Lady, Lilian Ekamais, has urged women to embrace cooperative societies as a path to economic empowerment. Speaking at the launch of “Aberu Aloima SACCO” in Namoruputh, Mrs. Ekamais highlighted the transformative potential of cooperatives in fostering financial independence, savings culture, and credit access.
“Through cooperatives, women can pool resources, access affordable loans, and launch sustainable businesses. This is a step toward true empowerment for women in Turkana,” she said.
The launch of Aberu Aloima SACCO marked a significant milestone in the region’s economic development. The First Lady commended the elected management and supervisory committees, expressing optimism about their ability to lead the SACCO to success.
Shemmy Ebulon, the Director of Cooperatives and Marketing, emphasized the importance of compliance with cooperative laws and effective governance. “For the SACCO to achieve its full potential, the leadership must ensure adherence to regulations. Members, too, must embrace a culture of savings and take advantage of loans to start or grow their businesses,” Director Ebulon advised.
The new SACCO leadership received guidance from cooperative officers, including Ekipor Sofari, Maureen Awoi, and James Akorot, who highlighted opportunities for support from the county government, financial institutions, and SACCO regulatory authorities.
The launch of Aberu Aloima SACCO aligns with the county’s broader agenda of promoting cooperative societies as engines of economic growth. Over the past two months, the Directorate of Cooperatives and Marketing has issued certificates to several SACCOs, signaling a growing momentum in the sector.
Cooperatives play a crucial role in Kenya’s economy, with over 22,000 registered SACCOs contributing approximately 45% of the national GDP. Additionally, SACCOs have mobilized over Ksh. 1.5 trillion in savings and advanced more than Ksh. 500 billion in loans, enabling thousands of Kenyans to invest in businesses, education, and property.
The First Lady’s involvement is expected to inspire more women to join the cooperative movement and leverage its benefits to improve their livelihoods.
