By Bob Waswani
KAKAMEGA, July 7, 2025 — Invest and Grow (IG) SACCO clinched the title of Best Overall Cooperative at the 103rd Ushirika Day held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Approved School in Kakamega, setting a benchmark for Kenya’s cooperative sector. The vibrant event, graced by County excutive for Cooperatives Moffat Mandela, celebrated top-performing Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs), with IG SACCO, Mufate G SACCO, and Wevarsity SACCO leading the large category for their excellence in governance, education, and member returns.
IG SACCO, based at IG SACCO Plaza in Kakamega, dominated with trophies for Best Overall Cooperative, Best Managed Large SACCO, Education and Training, and Highest Returns on Members’ Deposits. Its 2023 net profit rose 2.5% to Ksh 1.91 billion, with assets growing from Ksh 12.9 billion to Ksh 14 billion. Mandela lauded IG SACCO’s “good leadership and avoidance of external borrowing,” highlighting its liquidity and tech-driven services. Mufate G SACCO took second in Best Managed Large SACCO and Education and Training, showcasing strong governance. Wevarsity SACCO, third in Best Managed Large SACCO and second in Returns on Deposits, was recognized for empowering Western Kenya’s academic community.
Mandela emphasized cooperatives’ role in the county’s economic transformation agenda, stating, “We take cognizance of the role that cooperatives play in economic growth, social development, and the empowerment of communities”. He urged SACCOs to strengthen governance. The adjudication, conducted by private Co-op Consultancy agencies, evaluated over 100 cooperatives in the county on service excellence and social impact.
Other winners included Butali SACCO (Best Managed Medium SACCO), Mumias ACK SACCO (Best Managed Small SACCO), and Ikolomani Dairy (Best Dairy Cooperative). Kakamega’s cooperatives, supporting over 750,000 jobs, drive agriculture, housing, and financial inclusion, with IG SACCO disbursing Ksh 12.3 billion in loans in 2024.