Top Prize for NMG Sacco

The Nation Media Group Sacco was awarded two trophies for paying the highest dividends in the Company/NGO category.

Sacco chairman Wainana Kiganya and vice-chairman Domitilla Omuse received the trophies on behalf of the members who received 14.08 per cent dividends last year.

Cooperative minister Njeru Ndwiga presented the awards during the International Cooperatives (Ushirika) Day celebrations on Saturday at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

Mr Ndwiga warned employers who failed to remit staff deductions to their cooperative societies that they would be prosecuted.

His ministry had been empowered through an amendment to the Cooperative Act of 2004 to ensure employers remitted sacco dues immediately they were deducted from salaries.

Mr Ndwiga, who was the chief guest, said: "The ministry has released new cooperative societies rules with a view to enhancing cooperative governance, competitiveness and efficiency."

In Busia, district cooperatives officer Thomas Tolo said saccos were important vehicles for economic development, and were in line with the Government's wish to eradicate poverty especially in the rural areas.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the International Cooperatives Day, Mr Tolo appealed to officials of the 50 cooperative societies in the district to involve their members in decision-making.

In Mombasa, the council owes its employees' sacco more than Sh400 million in unremitted deductions, a cooperative official said at the weekend.

Mombasa district cooperatives officer Patrick Mak'Anyengo said during the celebrations that the ministry was pursuing the council to ensure it remitted the share contributions to Jitegemee Sacco.