By Justina Chomba
Nakuru-based Cosmopolitan DT Sacco lost 121 members to the dreaded Covid-19 disease, making it one of the worst the hit by the pandemic.
According to the Sacco, the institution lost 36 members within Nakuru municipality followed by Bahati 15, Naivasha 13, Subukia 12 and Solai/Rongai 11.
“The year 2020 was a dark one for our society, never have we ever experienced such a big loss,” lamented Sacco Board Chairman John Muigai.
He was speaking during the Sacco’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nakuru town.
Muigai revealed that the Sacco had to embrace virtual meetings or hybrid meetings to ensure social distancing because COVID-19 had massively affected daily operations.
The AGM in Nakuru was a hybrid meeting as some members virtually followed the proceeding from the comfort of their homes.
He said due to the challenges facing the society, member education will be conducted to smaller groups through visits by teachers and business people to propagate issues of the Sacco.
Boniface Mugo of the the Sacco’s supervisory committee noted that more than 7,200 members had been dormant leaving only 13,606 active participants.
“Although some of the reasons for dormancy like retirement are genuine, our committee feels that this number could be reduced with a little effort from the affected members,” said Mugo.
He urged members to avoid defaulting on their loans because it was a major drawback that pulls the organization backwards.
“The Sacco has opened a satellite branch in Subukia, which will be serving colleagues from Subukia, Kabazi and Mbogoini zones while the office in Mwisho wa Lami will be opened soon,” he said.
Muigai said plans to open similar offices in Gilgil, Maai Mahiu and Olenguruone were in top gear.
He promised that a token of Sh500 would be advanced to each member who recruited a new shareholder.
The Sacco will open agency banking in its effort to enhance and expand its services while at the same time while taking services closer to members.
Mungai urged members interested in being agents in various areas of the county to liaise with Sacco leadership for further engagements and actions.
