West Pokot teachers demand accountability over alleged Eco-Pillar SACCO mismanagement

Teachers in West Pokot County yesterday staged a demonstration in Makutano Town demanding transparency and accountability from Eco-Pillar SACCO amid allegations of financial mismanagement and unaccounted members’ savings.

The protest brought together members of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), reflecting growing concern within the teaching fraternity over the safety of their savings and the SACCO’s financial stability.

Led by KNUT Treasurer Fridah Arusho and KUPPET West Pokot Branch Chairman Geoffrey Doywan, the teachers accused the SACCO leadership of failing to provide clear financial records and timely communication regarding members’ funds.

Addressing the demonstrators, Arusho said teachers had entrusted the SACCO with their salaries and savings in the expectation of financial security, but were now facing uncertainty and anxiety due to what she termed as lack of transparency in the institution’s operations.

She called for the immediate release of audited financial statements and an independent forensic audit to establish the true financial position of the SACCO.

“Teachers depend heavily on SACCOs for loans, investments and emergency financial support. Any mismanagement directly affects livelihoods, families and community development,” she said.

ALSO READ:

PS Bitok to meet JSS leaders in Naivasha ahead of autonomy rollout

Arusho warned that failure to address the concerns could erode confidence in cooperative societies among teachers and weaken trust in the broader SACCO movement.

Doywan echoed the calls for accountability, urging the SACCO leadership to respond promptly to members’ concerns and engage teachers through open dialogue.

He noted that SACCOs thrive on transparency, member participation and sound financial management, warning that any deviation from those principles could destabilize the institution.

“Teachers are not protesting for the sake of confrontation. They are demanding answers about their savings and the future of the institution,” Doywan said.

The union leaders jointly demanded a comprehensive independent audit and reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving oversight and enhancing member participation in decision-making processes.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with teachers carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding accountability and protection of their savings.

ALSO READ:

UK universities lead breakthrough in early cancer detection using dog sniffing research

Several teachers who spoke during the protest cited delayed communication, uncertainty over loan processing and lack of clarity on dividends as some of the issues fueling mistrust among members.

The situation has intensified following allegations that hundreds of millions of shillings belonging to members may be unaccounted for, claims that have heightened anxiety among teachers and prompted calls for intervention by regulatory authorities.

Observers say the unfolding dispute highlights broader governance challenges facing some cooperative societies in the country, including concerns over transparency, accountability and financial oversight.

Pressure is now mounting on ECOPILLAR SACCO leadership and relevant oversight agencies to provide clear explanations and take corrective action as teachers vow to sustain demands for accountability until their concerns are addressed.

By Hillary Muhalya