Oparanya vows to rein in rogue Saccos as Police Sacco unveils Sh142million gym in Nyeri
He lauded the Kenya National Police DT Sacco for its exemplary leadership and financial discipline, noting it had been ranked the best-managed Sacco in Kenya for three consecutive years
The government has vowed to crack down on mismanagement in the cooperative sector, with Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya warning that Saccos teetering on the brink of collapse will face the full force of the law.
Speaking during the official opening of a state-of-the-art gymnasium by the Kenya National Police DT Sacco at the National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, Oparanya singled out Metropolitan Sacco as one of the institutions plagued by poor governance.
“We have had challenges within the cooperative movement. Metropolitan Sacco and others are on the verge of collapse because of mismanagement,” said Oparanya.
“As government, we cannot sit back and watch as money belonging to Sacco members is misused by a few officials without taking action,” he added.
He cited recent government action against officials of the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCO), saying similar steps would be taken against other Saccos engaged in malpractice.
To strengthen the legal and regulatory framework, Oparanya revealed that the ministry has drafted a new Co-operatives Bill and established a committee of experts to review the Sacco Societies Act, 2008.
“A lot has changed since 2008 in the cooperative environment. We are hopeful that once the committee concludes its work, we will have a much stronger and more resilient Sacco movement in the country,” he said.
Oparanya lauded the Kenya National Police DT Sacco for its exemplary leadership and financial discipline, noting it had been ranked the best-managed Sacco in Kenya for three consecutive years.
“We have over 13,000 registered Saccos in Kenya, with accumulated savings standing at Sh1.2 trillion. Of this, Sh1 trillion has been issued as credit to members for various economic activities. This is how we grow—by mobilizing resources from the base of the economic pyramid upward. That is what financial inclusion looks like,” he said.
The Police Sacco unveiled the ultra-modern gymnasium, which it built and equipped at a total cost of Sh142 million.
National Chairman David Sohelo Mategwa said the Sacco spent Sh79 million on construction and an additional Sh63 million to furnish and equip the facility with top-of-the-line gym equipment.
“We could not just hand over an empty building. This gym is a return on investment for our members. It is a classic example of social corporate investment,” said Mategwa.
He noted that the Kiganjo campus is a strategic location for the project since it is where police cadets are trained and where the Sacco recruits the majority of its new members.
“We thank President William Ruto for his commitment to recruit 10,000 new police officers. As a Sacco, we target to bring all of them on board and grow with them,” he said.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Deputy Inspector General (Kenya Police Service) Patrick Tito, said the facility is not just a gym but part of a broader effort to modernize the police service.
“This event marks more than just the opening of a physical facility. It is a step forward in enhancing the welfare and operational readiness of our officers. Policing is demanding, and our officers must be physically fit, mentally strong, and emotionally stable to meet the expectations of modern law enforcement,” said Kanja.
He added that the gymnasium would serve as a crucial tool for building endurance, promoting wellness, managing stress, and enhancing performance across the service.
“This facility is aligned with the police reforms agenda, which aims to improve working conditions, build capacity, and ultimately enhance service delivery,” he noted.
Kiganjo Police Training College Commandant Nyale Munga commended the Sacco’s efficiency in executing the project, which broke ground on April 24, 2024 and was completed in November of the same year.
“A physically prepared officer is better equipped to discharge their duties with confidence, professionalism, and safety,” said Munga.
The event was attended by Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi, Kiganjo Deputy Commandant Esther Wangeci, senior police officers, and top officials from the Sacco.
