Cak Chairman Calls For Stronger Unity Among Sacco And Cooperative Leaders To Safeguard The Independence Of The Cooperative Movement

By Admin Wednesday, 3^rd June 2026

The Chairman of the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), Macloud Malonza, has called for stronger unity among SACCO and cooperative leaders to safeguard the independence of the cooperative movement and enhance its ability to influence policy and legislative reforms.

Speaking during the opening day of the Co-operative and SACCO Sector Chairpersons Stakeholders Meeting held at PrideInn Hotel, Mombasa, from June 2 to 5, Malonza emphasized the need for structured engagement among cooperative leaders across the country, particularly in responding to emerging legislative and regulatory challenges affecting the sector.

Addressing chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from various SACCOs and cooperatives, Malonza explained that the forum had been deliberately convened to create a stronger platform for consultation, advocacy, and collective action.

He noted that CAK's primary mandate is to advocate for the interests of Kenya's cooperative movement, a responsibility that has become increasingly important as the sector faces growing regulatory scrutiny and legislative changes.

Malonza, who also serves as Vice President of the ICA Africa Chapter and a Director of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Board, observed that Kenya's cooperative movement has attracted significant international attention due to its success and resilience.

According to him, many countries and organizations are eager to learn from Kenya's cooperative model, making it even more critical for local leaders to protect and strengthen the foundations that have enabled the sector to thrive.

"People are interested in what we have built in Kenya," he noted, adding that the country's cooperative movement remains one of the most vibrant and successful in Africa.

Concerns Over Legislative Changes

A significant portion of Malonza's address focused on recent legislative developments affecting SACCOs and cooperatives.

He referenced the ongoing discussions surrounding the Cooperative Bill and the Sacco Societies Act, noting that while governance reforms are important, there have been instances where provisions appeared in legislative processes without adequate consultation with sector stakeholders.

According to the CAK Chairman, leaders within the cooperative movement became concerned when certain proposals emerged that had not been discussed during earlier stages of public participation.

He argued that cooperative leaders, as the individuals directly responsible for managing and governing these institutions, are best placed to understand the practical implications of policy and legislative changes.

"We are the users. We are the people wearing the shoes. We understand the realities of the movement and know what amendments are necessary," he said.

Malonza revealed that CAK had worked tirelessly to engage policymakers and legislators as the Cooperative Bill moved through Parliament and later to the Senate. While progress has been made in addressing contentious issues, he acknowledged that the process had not been easy.

He explained that the bill eventually proceeded to mediation after passing through different legislative stages, demonstrating the complexity and significance of the issues under discussion.

Need for a Rapid Response Leadership Structure

One of the key proposals emerging from the stakeholders' meeting is the creation of a formal leadership structure that would allow cooperative leaders to quickly coordinate responses to policy, regulatory, and legislative developments.

Malonza stressed that CAK cannot effectively advocate for the entire movement without direct and timely input from SACCO and cooperative leaders spread across the country.

He proposed the establishment of a committee, board, or representative leadership framework that can be mobilized at short notice whenever urgent issues arise.

Such a structure, he said, would enable CAK to gather views from sector leaders quickly and formulate collective positions on matters affecting cooperatives.

The proposal comes in response to concerns that legislative amendments can sometimes be introduced at advanced stages of the law-making process, leaving stakeholders with limited time to react.

"We need a mechanism that allows us to converge quickly and provide informed views whenever issues affecting the movement emerge," he told delegates.

Malonza warned that the pace of regulatory and legislative changes affecting the cooperative and financial sectors requires leaders to remain vigilant and united.

Expanding Participation Across Boards

While the current forum has brought together chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, Malonza indicated that CAK is considering expanding future engagements to include all cooperative board members.

However, he emphasized that leadership alignment must come first.

The objective, he explained, is to build a strong foundation among top leaders before broadening participation to the wider governance structures within cooperatives and SACCOs.

He noted that effective leadership coordination would make it easier to mobilize the sector around common goals and strengthen collective advocacy efforts.

The chairman also called for greater collaboration between CAK and member institutions, stressing that no single organization can adequately represent the interests of the movement without continuous consultation.

Strengthening the Voice of the Cooperative Movement

Throughout his address, Malonza repeatedly emphasized the importance of ensuring that the voices of cooperative members and leaders are heard whenever policies affecting the sector are being developed.

He observed that Kenya's cooperative movement comprises diverse institutions operating in different regions and sectors, making regular engagement essential.

CAK, he said, cannot assume it understands the priorities and concerns of every SACCO and cooperative across the country without deliberate consultation.

The Mombasa meeting therefore serves as a platform for leaders to share experiences, provide strategic direction, and advise the national apex organization on issues affecting their institutions.

The discussions are expected to generate recommendations on how the sector can strengthen governance, improve coordination, and enhance its advocacy capacity.

A Call for Unity

As he concluded his remarks, Malonza urged leaders to view the gathering as the beginning of a stronger and more coordinated approach to protecting the interests of Kenya's cooperative movement.

He thanked participants for responding to the invitation and encouraged them to actively contribute to discussions over the course of the meeting.

The chairman expressed confidence that the forum would help establish a sustainable mechanism for engagement between CAK and cooperative leaders, ultimately strengthening the movement's ability to navigate future challenges.

With significant legislative reforms under consideration and increasing attention on the cooperative sector, the meeting marks an important step toward building a united leadership voice capable of defending the sector's independence, promoting good governance, and ensuring that the interests of millions of cooperative members across Kenya remain protected.

The four-day stakeholders' meeting continues in Mombasa, bringing together leaders from SACCOs and cooperative societies nationwide to deliberate on governance, advocacy, policy reforms, and the future direction of Kenya's cooperative movement.