The grounds of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology buzzed with anticipation on Saturday, 13th June 2026, as thousands of Micro and Small Enterprise owners, farmers, bodaboda riders, and community business owners filled the grounds for an occasion that marked a bold new chapter in the economic story of Western Kenya. The day saw the official launch of the Shirikiana Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, a transformative regional mega-SACCO built to deepen financial inclusion, mobilize grassroots savings, and place real economic power in the hands of the people. The energy that morning was not merely the excitement of an event; it was the palpable sense of a community stepping boldly into its own financial future.
Hon. Moses Wetangula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and Principal Secretary State Department of Cooperatives Patrick Kilemi giving their remarks during the launch.
Presiding over this official launch, His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CGH, noted that the greatest economic force lies not in the hands of a few individuals, but in the collective effort of millions of people coming together with purpose and discipline. He called upon all members to embrace a culture of savings and entrepreneurship, affirming that Shirikiana SACCO is firmly anchored in the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda — a vision built on the conviction that growth becomes meaningful only when it begins at the grassroots.
The President affirmed that Shirikiana Sacco is opening doors and giving every citizen the opportunity to shape their own future through access to affordable credit and a structured pathway to building lasting wealth. He further celebrated Kenya’s rich cooperative heritage, noting that the country is already home to one of the strongest cooperative movements in Africa, a family of over eight million members that will grow even larger with the launch of Shirikiana. President Ruto also called on members to uphold integrity, protect their savings, maintain proper records, and observe the highest governance standards, adding that the Cooperative Law currently before Parliament is being revised and refined to further strengthen the sector across the country.
His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CGH, delivering his speech during the launch.
MSEA is honoured to have walked this journey alongside the Micro and Small Enterprises of Western Kenya, mobilizing over 11,000 MSEs drawn from Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma who now stand as founding members and delegates of Shirikiana SACCO. The Authority was represented at this milestone by the Registrar of MSEs, Ms. Maureen Chogo alongside Ag. Director Strategy and Planning, Reynold Njue.
The occasion drew an impressive gathering of national and county leadership, reflecting the significance of the moment. Among those present were National Assembly Speaker Hon. Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, and Kakamega County Governor Hon. Fernandes Barasa, alongside representatives from the five county governments of Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma, and leaders of other state agencies including the Hustler Fund, and the National Government Administration.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya also addressed the gathering, expressing his appreciation to the more than 11,000 Micro and Small Enterprises who turned out in overwhelming numbers a powerful demonstration that the people of Western Kenya are ready and willing to take ownership of their economic destiny.
Registrar of MSEs, Ms. Maureen Chogo during the launch.
Shirikiana Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited is a modern, digitized, professionally managed, and inclusive cooperative financial institution. It initially targets the five counties of Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia, with a bold vision to scale its reach across the entire country. The SACCO is designed to serve the mama mboga, the bodaboda rider, the farmer, the salaried worker, and every underserved Kenyan who has long been on the periphery of formal financial services. Beyond savings and credit, it will facilitate direct payment of Social Health Authority premiums, school fees, and last-expense benefits for its members, making it a truly comprehensive financial safety net. Shirikiana launched with an initial membership of 11,000 and has set an ambitious target of 100,000 members by December 2026. Those who wish to join can do so from anywhere in the country by simply dialling *673# and following the prompts.
This is what empowerment looks like not handed down, but built from the ground up, one member at a time. The seeds of financial freedom have been planted, and the harvest will be felt across generations.
