Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco
Building a Financial Future Together: The Story of Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco
In August 2023, a small but ambitious idea took root in Kikuyu Ward. What began as a community Sacco of just 20 members has grown into a strong, people-centred financial institution that today serves nearly 400 members. At the heart of this transformation is Samuel Jenga Kihanya, Chairperson of the Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco.
“We started small,” Samuel recalls. “But the need in the community was clear. People wanted a place they could trust something owned by the community, for the community.”
Today, the Sacco has over 390 members, with numbers continuing to rise as more residents seek affordable and accessible financial services.
A Community-Based Alternative to Traditional Banking
For members like Hilda Wangu, the Community Sacco offered something formal banks could not access to affordable credit without collateral.
“I was looking for affordable loans and a place where I could access credit without collateral,” Hilda explains. “A community Sacco felt closer and more accessible than a bank. The interest rate is only 1% per month, which is much lower than mobile phone loans that are very expensive.”
Joining the Sacco was straightforward. Hilda paid KES 500 for registration and KES 1,000 as share capital, after which she began making monthly contributions. The minimum monthly contribution is KES 500, though members are free to save more depending on their capacity.
Strong Growth Backed by Sound Financial Management
According to Margaret Nyokabi, the Sacco’s Bookkeeper, the institution has recorded impressive growth in a short period.
“As of today, we have 396 registered members,” she says. “Our total deposits stand at approximately KES 1.29 million, and our share capital is over KES 200,000.”
The Sacco has disbursed loans worth KES 754,000 to 29 members, comprising 10 men, 17 women, and two Common Interest Groups (CIGs) demonstrating inclusive access to finance across the community.
Project Support That Strengthened the Sacco
Samuel attributes much of the Sacco’s stability and professionalism to early project support.
“This project has been a great blessing to us,” he says. “We received support to secure the office we are using today, including rent. The project also enabled us to acquire office equipment and engage a bookkeeper.”
This support was provided in the form of a startup grant worth KES 1 million, allowing the Sacco to establish strong operational systems from the beginning.
Digital Systems Improving Efficiency and Transparency
To enhance efficiency and accountability, the Sacco works with a service provider called Amtek, which trained the team on a digital Sacco management system.
“Most of our operations are now digital,” Margaret explains. “We still maintain manual records as a backup, but member registration, deposits, share capital, and loan processing are handled through the system. This has made our work much easier and more efficient.”
Financing Enterprise and Livelihoods
For Hilda Wangu, access to affordable credit has translated directly into business growth.
She first took a KES 6,000 loan to expand her poultry enterprise by purchasing more chicks. After successfully repaying, she qualified for a second loan of KES 155,000, which she is currently servicing.
“I used the second loan to open a business selling chicken products such as gizzards and other snacks,” she says. “This helped me expand and diversify my income.”
Hilda plans to complete repayment, continue saving, and apply for a larger loan by mid next year to further grow her business.
A Vision for Generational Impact
For the leadership of the Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco, the goal extends far beyond short-term gains.
“Our vision goes beyond five or ten years,” Samuel says. “This is a generational initiative. We want future generations to benefit from this Sacco. We are proud to be the pioneers, but our aim is to build something that will serve the community for many years to come.”
A Model for Community-Led Financial Empowerment
The story of the Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco demonstrates how community-driven financial institutions, supported through structured project investments, capacity building, and digital systems, can unlock entrepreneurship, strengthen livelihoods, and build long-term resilience.