Riding on a fast growing membership and uptake of digital solutions, tier one Sacco assures its members that it is on course to growing its asset base to over Kshs. 21 billion by the close of 2026
By George Gichuki
Globally, the co-operative movement is governed by seven principles. Key among them is : ‘education, training and information.’ The objective of this principle is to equip members, management and leaders with the knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute effectively to the growth as well as the overall success of their respective co-operatives. Against this backdrop, Mentor Sacco, a fast growing tier one Sacco in Kenya with an asset base of Kshs.18.5 billion has launched the first phase of its 2026 members’ information and education days campaign.
Under the theme : ‘ Stronger together : building a sustainable Sacco through responsible governance and active membership’, the campaign which kicked off in mid-May will run for one month up to mid-June. It will cover the regions where Mentor Sacco has a strong presence including : Murang’a, Kiambu and Nairobi. This is a tradition that the Sacco has held dearly over the years, hence strengthening its relationship with members and other major stakeholders in the co-operative movement.
Addressing members at Ithanga Comprehensive School as the campaign kicked off, Mr. Eliud Mbugua, board of directors Chairman, Mentor Sacco, observed : “ This forum remains a critical platform for engagement, awareness, feedback, and strengthening our collective understanding of the Sacco’s direction.” He added that guided by the 2026 members’ information and education days theme, the Sacco will continue strengthening its governance structures in order to grow sustainably and attract active members who are willing and able to patronize its innovative products and services. “ Our members are very loyal ambassadors of our brand and usually, after engaging them during the information and education days among other forums, they assist us to onboard new members ( drawn from their work stations, business set-ups and social gatherings) through the word of mouth marketing,” Mr. Mbugua emphasized.
The delegate system
During the 49th Annual General Meeting ( AGM) of Mentor Sacco that was held in January this year, members resolved to adopt the delegate system of governance. This was in response to a directive issued to the co-operative societies in Kenya with more than five thousand members by the Commissioner for Co-operatives to adopt the delegate system for their general meetings as opposed to AGMs. The Chairman lauded this move saying that it is line with the regulatory and governance best practices in the co-operative movement, and it will help the Sacco to effectively address the needs of its over fifty thousand members.
The other benefits of the delegate system include : simplified access to the leaders due to the expanded governance structure, efficient governance and decision making process, representation of members’ diverse interests in a better way, as well as enhanced compliance with the statutory regulations. Moreover, the delegates will be able to frequently engage members under their representation in a more structured way.
One of the major roles of delegates will be electing board members. Additionally, they will be educating and informing members on various issues regarding their Sacco ( including policies, rules and procedures, products and services as well as all the new developments in their areas of jurisdiction ) within small units. “ The feedback given by the members will be used as a basis for preparing for our education and information days,” Mr. Mbugua emphasized. Delegates will also approve all the key resolutions made by the members, represent the members in their areas of jurisdiction effectively, protect the image of the Sacco at all times and endeavour to be its good ambassadors.
As Mentor Sacco finalizes on the plans to implement the delegate system, it has been benchmarking with other tier Saccos in Kenya which have already embraced the said system. By so doing, the management has established that it is a stronger system of governance and conducting general meetings compared to AGMs. In that regard, during the forum at Ithanga Comprehensive School, one of the major items in the agenda was educating members on the benefits of this system. “ I am happy that after listening to our presentations, the members who attended our education and information forum today have overwhelmingly agreed to embrace the delegate system,” said Mr. Mbugua. “ In the course of this year, we are planning to hold a special general meeting so that our members can conclude this process,” he added. Based on this development, come 2027, Mentor Sacco will start holding Annual Delegates Meetings ( ADMs) as opposed to AGMs.
New products
Recently , Mentor Sacco launched two innovative products – golden account and makao loan – in response to its members’ needs and market trends. “ The golden account is aimed at inculcating a savings culture among our members,” said Mr. Mbugua on the sidelines of members’ information and education day at Ithanga. The features of this product include: flexible monthly contribution, earns compounding interest and helps savings to grow steadily over time. Additionally, it is a flexible and accessible savings option for all category of members and it encourages long term financial discipline and wealth creation. The product is accessible through digital banking channels for easy monitoring and deposits. Also, it gives members an opportunity to build financial security progressively, while benefiting from attractive returns. “ Once they retire, our members can access their golden accounts before their pension is processed by their respective employers – mainly the Teachers Service Commission,” noted Mr. Mbugua.
Secondly, makao is a convenient loan product designed to support members with urgent housing needs. Targeting members who already have rental income streams, this flexible product can be accessed fast and conveniently through the Sacco’s digital channels as well as its branches. It is processed within seventy two hours. “ Makao has flexible repayment terms and it is designed to support housing development, growth of members’ rental income and property development,” said Mr. Mbugua. For a member to qualify for this facility, his or her rental income must be channeled through Mentor Sacco. It is available at a very competitive interest rate of 1.25% per annum, on a reducing balance, and the repayment period is six years.
Gone digital
As a forward looking tier one Sacco, Mentor Sacco has embraced digitalization. To that end, it offers : mobile loan processing, instant loan approvals, digital customer service, automated savings systems and online member onboarding. By going digital, the Sacco is able to serve its members throughout the country and even globally. Therefore, during the education and information forum at Ithanga Comprehensive School, Mr. Mbugua encouraged members to continue accessing various products and services offered by the Sacco digitally, since it is convenient and the turnaround time is fast.
2026 goals
One of the major goals of Mentor Sacco in the 2026 financial year according to Mr. Mbugua is to achieve the institutional capital ratio required by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority ( SASRA). By so doing, the members’ savings will be safeguarded, while the Sacco’s financial stability will be enhanced and it will be positioned for long-term growth. This will also enhance its compliance with the regulatory requirements.
Mr. Mbugua further said that Mentor Sacco will continue to market its products and services in Murang’a county ( where it has a major presence) as it seeks to bring on board new members. In the same vein, it will intensify its marketing campaign in other regions including : Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado and Machakos. This campaign has been very fruitful and it has seen the growth of the Sacco’s membership in the last five years from 28,000 in 2021 to over 50,000 in 2026. Currently, Mentor Sacco has branches in : Murang’a, Nairobi, Kenol, Ithanga, Thika, Kiambu, Kiria-ini, Kandara, Kangari, Kahuro and Kangema.
More importantly, Mr. Mbugua said that Mentor Sacco is planning to grow its asset base from Kshs. 18.5 billion (currently) to over Kshs. 21 billion by the close of 2026. For a Sacco that was started in a very humble way by only 546 members way back in 1977, and having navigated a number of hurdles in its road to success, the projected growth is not wishful thinking. It is bound to be achieved.
