Visit from Kenyan Delegation

Cooperation among Cooperatives – Sharing the Irish experience

Savvi Credit Union was delighted to host a delegation from Kenya on Tuesday, 19 August. The delegation comprised of government officials from Kenya, members of the Committee of Experts appointed by the Minister for Cooperatives, and representatives from the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).

The visit to Ireland was organised by ACCOSCA in conjunction with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) and the ILCU International Development Foundation (the Foundation). The two-day visit was led by Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, he was accompanied by Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, and his advisors, alongside Marlene Shiels, Chair and Nelson Kuria, Vice-Chair, Committee of Experts, and Joan Atuhurra and David Mategwa from ACCOSCA.

The purpose of the visit was to learn from the Irish Credit Union movement. The Committee of Experts were appointed by the Cabinet Secretary to evaluate and propose amendments to the SACCO Act (SACCOs are credit unions in East Africa). The Irish credit union movement is one of the most popular credit union movements in the world, and other countries look to Ireland as they strengthen their own respective movements. The delegation met with ILCU staff and the Central Bank of Ireland to discuss various topics, in advance of visiting Savvi Credit Union.

Mark Beirne, CEO, alongside Directors and Savvi team members met with the delegation to discuss Savvi Credit Union. Mark shared the history of Savvi Credit Union and discussed strategy and governance framework. Speaking about the visit, Mark Beirne, said, “It was a pleasure to welcome the delegation to Savvi Credit Union, where we serve of members and ensure culture is key to our organisation.”

Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary, thanked Savvi Credit Union for hosting the visit and praised them for the work they are doing in their commuity, and Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, noted that “SACCOs need to incorporate a culture that is people first, and we need to look at how we can lead with the cooperative philosophy.” The Cabinet Secretary presented Mark with a Shuka, a symbol of Maasai identity and culture.

Alan Moore, CEO, Foundation thanked Mark, his Board and his colleagues for their Céad Míle Failte, “the visit is a fantastic opportunity for the delegation to see and hear at first-hand how a successful credit union operates, and to bring back learnings as the Committee of Experts prepare to submit their report to the Cabinet Secretary.”  Alan also thanked Savvi Credit Union for their support of the Foundation’s work.