Built on a strong foundation of cordial engagement with members, digitalisation and prudent management of resources , tier one Sacco stands out among its peer during the International Day of Co-operatives
By George Gichuki
In 2024, Mentor Sacco successfully upgraded its core banking system. That transition was no mean achievement. It reflected the Sacco’s commitment to modernization of its operations, enhancement of service delivery to its members and the need to remain competitive in a sector where continuous innovation is the order of business. Additionally, the bold move was meant to meet the ever evolving needs of its members in a world that has gone digital. Elated by this strategic development, Mr. Eliud Mbugua, Chairman, Mentor Sacco said : “ This demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and willingness to embrace change in pursuit of excellence by all stakeholders. Moving forward, we intend to leverage the new core banking system to drive operational efficiency and deliver superior member experience.” Two years down the line, this goal has not only been achieved, but it largely contributed to Mentor Sacco’s strong performance in the 2026 Ushirika Day national celebrations. During the event’s gala dinner Mentor Sacco received three prestigious national awards in the employer based tier one Saccos category : Best DT Sacco in member management, third best DT Sacco in technology optimization and third most improved DT Sacco.
Technology optimization
Going digital has enabled Mentor Sacco to develop innovative solutions and offer its members a superior experience. To that end it offers : a mobile loan product dubbed Mentor Quick Cash, digital customer service, automated savings system and online member onboarding. Currently, more than forty thousand members of Mentor Sacco have been onboarded on the mobile banking platform. “ We are in the era of technology and we would not wish to be left behind by other players in the financial sector. More than three quarters of our transactions are made through our mobile banking platform and we are very happy that our members have kept up with the market trends,” noted Mrs. Joyce Ndegwa, the Chief Executive Officer, during a members’ forum held recently. The Sacco is planning to go paperless in the near future. Consequently, the loan application, appraisal and disbursement process will be digital. This development affirms that Mentor Sacco has made great strides in technology optimization.
Member management
This year, in line with its tradition , Mentor Sacco has undertaken a highly successful members’ education and information days campaign under the theme : ‘ Stronger together, building a sustainable Sacco through responsible governance and active membership.’ The campaign has been spearheaded by the leadership and management teams of the Sacco. They have conducted highly engaging education and training sessions in all the areas where the Sacco has a presence including :
Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi , Kajiado and Machakos. Members’ testimonials during these sessions have revealed that there is a very strong bond between them and their Sacco. Using the financial solutions that are offered by the Sacco, members have uplifted their standards of living by educating their families, constructing modern homes, establishing businesses, engaging in modern farming and investing in property among other economic activities.
Remarkably also, members are very committed brand ambassadors of their Sacco and in that respect, they have played a pivotal role in the growth of its membership. “ Our members are very loyal ambassadors of our brand and usually, after engaging them during education and information days among other forums,” said Mr. Mbugua in a recent members’ forum. “ They assist us to onboard new members ( drawn from their work stations, business set-ups and social networks ) through the word of mouth marketing,” he added. By and large, Mentor Sacco manages its members in a transparent and exemplary way, shaping them into strong pillars of its steady growth and profitability.
Improvement
Numbers don’t lie. Mentor Sacco membership has more than doubled within the last seven years – from 22,609 in 2019 to 51,531 in 2025 – a growth of 127.92 %. Additionally, its asset base has grown from Kshs. 7.94 billion in 2019, to over Kshs. 18.5 billion currently- equivalent to 133%. In 2020, Mentor Sacco realized a profit of Kshs. 142 million , while in 2025, its profit was Kshs. 392 million – a growth of 176.1%. This strong performance across three key parameters demonstrates the resilience of Mentor Sacco brand, built on a solid foundation of digitalisation, cordial engagement with members and prudent management of resources.
