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SACCO LEADERS CONVENTION
Uasin Gishu Governor H.E Jackson Mandago addressing delegates during the SACCO “I must say the lacuna in law created
Leaders Convention during this period foresaw a number
of ad hoc amendments being proposed
Have UNITED VOICE in by various institutions and bodies,
enacting LEGISLATION, creating anxiety and uncertainty in the
CO-OPERATIVES TOLD movement.”
By Ngumbo Njoroge of what you would include in it. In the However, he said that through the unity
last constitutional amendment, there of the movement, members lobbied
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson were so many organizations and groups the legislative arms to shelve some of
Mandago urged the co- that were bypassed by the constitution- the proposed changes that would have
operative movement to making process because they never been detrimental to SACCOs.
adopt a united voice in legislation to concentrated on what affects them.”
ensure new laws have the input of all “Possibly not known to many players,
sector players. Citing the co-operative principles, the County Governments, led by Uasin
Governor Mandago, who was speaking Gishu County was able to add their voice
This, he said, will ensure that all laws during the 5th Annual SACCO Leaders of dissent during the Senate Mashinani
regarding the sector are in the interests Convention, added that players must against this ad hoc legislation by
of co-operative members. consider benefits to members when making submissions to the Senate both
proposing new legislation. orally and in writing which we believe
“We should be enacting legislation that went a long way in forestalling some of
creates an enabling environment for co- “When talking about taxation, we must these negative changes,” he said.
operatives to flourish but primarily to question how that is going to impact on
safeguard the interests of the members, the member. Why should members of co- Lauding the regulatory role played of the
and deliver all benefit to the co-operative operatives be taxed and ‘retaxed’ while SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority,
member,” Governor Mandago said. co-operatives are the primary sectors of he said that counties appreciate the
growth in the economy? Co-operatives role of regulation in establishing good
He added that the co-operative sector should be given a relief,” he said. governance in SACCOs.
needs to examine likely legislation and
provisions that should be included The governor lamented that it has “We recognize the role of KUSCCO in
in the event of a constitutional taken close to eight years to develop protecting SACCO interests as they
amendment through the Building the National Co-operative Policy recently went to court to challenge
Bridges Initiative. to pave way for new legislation to the increase of levies by SASRA from
recognize the aspirations of Kenyans. 0.125 percent to 0.175 percent of
“As we are in the process of changing total revenue. Though they lost, or by
the constitution, it is good that as a extension SACCOs lost, I must say it was
movement you are beginning to think a courageous and commendable feat.”
Also speaking during the Convention,
KUSCCO Group Managing Director Mr.
George Ototo thanked SACCO Leaders
for support in lobbying against the
implementation of the Statute Law
(Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2)
Bill, 2018.
“SACCOs were exposed to a possible
hostile takeover by non-members, who
were not accountable to other members,
against the co-operative principles,”
Mr Ototo said, adding “the proposed
structure also put SACCO funds at risk,
and may have led to losses and penalties
related to other laws, such as Proceeds
of Crimes and Money Laundering Act,
2009.”
16 | SACCO Star Magazine
