Press Release
Friday, 17th March 2023
For Immediate Release
SACCOs Venture into Financing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector
KUSCCO in partnership with Aqua for All launched the ‘Maji Nyumbani’ programme to provide affordable finance to the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, through SACCOs. The programme targets SACCOs serving low-income and vulnerable persons across the country, with the recipients of the financing being households and community-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The programme will pilot financing in ten deposit-taking SACCOs from Mombasa, Eldoret, Siaya, Baringo, Embu, Kakamega, Nyeri, Meru, Kilifi and Nakuru Counties. It will also offer technical assistance to develop WASH loan products that respond to the needs of SACCO members and communities. The pilot phase is expected to take 15 months and to disburse 2,250 loans. Expected target results include reaching 12,500 people comprised of 8,250 women and 4,250 men and sustaining 1,250 jobs.
Speaking during the launch, George Ototo, Group Managing Director, KUSCCO noted that arising from the feasibility study carried, the SACCO Sector has a potential of between Ksh84.9 billion to Ksh174 billion to lend towards the WASH sector. However, SACCOs experienced challenges towards achievement of this due to lack of Institutional capacity to understand WASH lending, perceived high risk of the WASH sector, lack of awareness of the market size opportunity for SACCOs and lack of member awareness of WASH loan products. “Through the Maji Nyumbani programme, we intend to unbundle or separate the WASH component from the existing loan products. This has the potential to catalyse access to water by availing more financing to SACCO members and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). We expect 25 MSMEs to be served per SACCO translating to 250 MSMEs for the ten SACCOs,” said Mr. Ototo.
“Our collaboration with KUSCCO will allow prioritising and scaling WASH loans. This will create a huge impact by targeting both households and MSMEs. This partnership has the potential to reach all corners of the country through the extensive SACCO membership base. Increasing access to loans through KUSCCO aligns with our goal to accelerate access to WASH for underserved, remote communities through mobilizing funds for WASH,” said Marlies Batterink, Aqua for All Regional Manager for East Africa.
About Aqua for All
Aqua for All is an international foundation operating primarily in Africa and Asia. For over two decades, we have worked towards catalysing an innovative, sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation economy worldwide. We believe that innovation, scalable solutions, and private capital are needed to bridge the service and financial gap to achieve SDG 6 – Water and sanitation for all. We use grants to accelerate access to water and sanitation to low-income households. We do this by supporting innovations and scaling up enterprises until they are investment ready. In addition, we use our funds to mobilise public capital to increase investments in water and sanitation.
About KUSCCO Ltd
KUSCCO is a Union for all SACCOs in Kenya. The Union is the national organization responsible for representing and speaking on behalf of SACCOs. KUSCCO provides advocacy, advice and protects members against adverse legislation and restrictions. The Union also promotes the organization and development of viable SACCOs.
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