Embrace Sacco’s, Orengo Urges Siaya Residents As County Prepares to Disburse Funds

Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo signing the visitors book at Kadilong SACCO in West Asembo on Saturday. Photos | Directorate of Communication, County Government of Siaya

Orengo said his administration had budgeted for the Cooperative  Development Fund and its disbursement was only delayed due to lack of proper guidelines. He admitted however that his administration will soon be wiring money to the accounts of active cooperatives and Sacco’s.

While addressing members during the launch of Kadilong Sacco Society in West Asembo, Orengo said the funds will directly benefit active groups with links to a saccos.

“I will ensure that Kadilong Sacco which am a member gets its fair share of the CDF,” said the Governor.

Orengo said co-operatives are instrumental in mobilization of financial resources and should not be ignored if communities are keen on realizing vision 2030.

He called on CBO’s and other welfare organisations in Siaya County to embrace savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) for wealth creation.

Saccos provide platforms for savings, getting loans and dividends among members. This makes them a good source of funds hence they should be embraced by all.

Orengo argued that joining Saccos is the best way of transforming the livelihoods of Siaya residents

“Saccos have enabled people who have embraced them to fight poverty in many families due to the services they provide and am equally happy to hear the objectives of Kadilong Sacco.

Speaking to the heart of Siaya residents Orengo said most people in Siaya have sound business ideas but the challenge affecting them is lack of capital.

Through the provision of loans and dividends members are empowered to start and run businesses effectively.

“One of the reasons hindering the fight against poverty in the society is failure to save. Let’s save part of any income they get for a better return. The savings will help whenever an emergency arises,”

Director Cooperatives Samuel Wambisa revealed that the CDF currently has a budget of KES 10 million.

“The CDF act and regulations are now in place. We are in the process of securing an agency that will be administrator to the fund,” said Wambisa adding that Saccos and Cooperatives are eligible for the funds.

“Saccos inculcate the spirit of savings culture among communities. We as Kadilong, we have been running a welfare that has helped us give our loved ones a good send off, we have now come up with a sacco, whose objectives will be to empower our small-scale business people and open channels for the education of our children,” Kadilong Patron Stephen Auma said.

The Kadilong Sacco aims at providing opportunities for wealth creation as it will support members who wish to engage in diverse business activities.

Later in the day, Orengo attended the burial of Richard Okello where he asked former Premier Raila Odinga to help in finding a solution to the stalemate in Yala Swamp which has locked out famers from engaging in agricultural activities along the wetland.

Orengo pleaded with Raila to intervene as the current investor had blocked the riparian community from cultivating the agreed portion of the wetland.

Orengo said the investor was not concerned with maintenance of the roads and foot bridges in the Swamp yet that was part of an MoU they signed.

“Even the foot bridge that was put up by Dr Oburu when he was Bondo MP has collapsed due to lack of maintenance,” said Orengo.

The Governor further announced that Usenge will be the next town elevated to municipality status.

“We are going to upgrade Usenge ring-road to bitumen standards to ease movement of traders and goods within this busy grid,” the governor said.

“We also have experts here in Usenge that have been disturbing me with lots of questions on the proposed upgrade of Usenge town and I know there will be proper sensitization of our people because the future of the area is urban,” said Orengo.

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