Migori women Saccos empowered through governance training

Migori town was yesterday a beehive of activities as more than 60 women leaders from across the county converged for a transformative workshop on cooperative governance.

The one-day training, themed “Growing Cooperatives Through Sound Corporate Governance,” was organized by the Eliud Owalo Foundation in partnership with the State Department for Cooperatives. Participants were drawn from all eight sub-counties: Awendo, Kuria East, Kuria West, Nyatike, Rongo, Suna East, Suna West, and Uriri.

For many of the women, the path to cooperative leadership has been fraught with challenges weak governance structures, compliance gaps, and limited knowledge of cooperative laws. These barriers have slowed growth, undermined resource mobilization, and discouraged women from pursuing leadership roles. The workshop, however, provided new hope and direction.

“Owalo Foundation is the best thing that ever happened to the women of Migori, and to the county as a whole,” said County Coordinator Bevin Bhoke Angela. “Women are now saving, loaning, and uplifting their lives through these SACCOs.”

Senior Deputy Commissioner Anna Mutinda and Assistant Commissioner David Okul from the State Department for Cooperatives facilitated practical sessions on strengthening governance, compliance, fundraising, financial management, and bookkeeping.

“Each of Migori’s eight sub-counties already has a registered women’s cooperative. Our role here is to strengthen them. This training equips leaders with tools for growth and sustainability.  We have trained them on governance, fundraising, financial management and book keeping,” explained Okul.

County Coordinators Bevin Boke and Beatrice Oranga, alongside sub-county SACCO chairpersons including Florence Ochieng of Awendo and Millicent Arondo of Rongo, led their members through the program, signaling women’s growing commitment to driving cooperative development in the county.

On behalf of participants, Ms. Florence Ochieng praised the Owalo Foundation’s role in nurturing the transition from informal groups to formalized SACCOs. “The Owalo Foundation has shown us the importance of inclusivity.

This workshop is more than training; it is a turning point. It strengthens governance, empowers women leaders, and secures the sustainability of our cooperatives,” she said.

In its statement, the Owalo Foundation reaffirmed its vision of making women-led SACCOs engines of grassroots economic transformation. The Foundation pledged to continue supporting women in building sustainable, community-driven cooperatives capable of uplifting households and neighbourhoods.