AMICA Sacco has reviewed its bylaws to expand representation in its leadership structures and accommodate delegates from different economic sectors as the financial institution moves beyond its traditional coffee-farming membership base.

The proposed changes are aimed at giving members drawn from dairy and tea farming, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and salaried employment a greater voice in Sacco’s decision-making processes.

The Sacco’s Chief Executive Officer, James Mbui, said the review was necessary to reflect the institution’s growing and increasingly diverse membership, noting that its original structure was largely designed around coffee farmers.

Speaking during a Special General Meeting attended by delegates to deliberate on the proposed amendments on Thursday in Murang’a town, Mbui said the changes would ensure that members from different sectors were adequately represented in the Sacco’s leadership.

He noted that the institution wanted to create an inclusive governance structure where all members felt involved in shaping its future.

“We are looking at ensuring that all these groups of people are well represented and that they feel that they are part and parcel of this great organisation so that as we grow, we all grow together,” he observed.

The proposed amendments, which were approved by delegates, will be forwarded to the Commissioner for Co-operative Development for consideration before implementation.

Mbui said expanding representation would strengthen members’ participation in governance while enabling the Sacco to respond better to the financial needs of its increasingly diverse membership.

Besides the governance reforms, AMICA Sacco is stepping up its investment in education through the Vuka Scholarship Programme, which offers full university scholarships to academically gifted students from Murang’a County.

Under the programme, the Sacco selects one bright student from each of the county’s 35 wards and sponsors them through university education.

For the past five years, more than 150 students have benefited from the initiative, which also incorporates mentorship to prepare beneficiaries for the challenges of university life.

The latest cohort comprises 35 students selected following their performance in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. They are pursuing various university courses, including law, engineering and information technology.

Mbui said the scholarship programme was not limited to paying university fees but also sought to nurture responsible, disciplined and focused young people capable of contributing positively to society.

He urged the beneficiaries to uphold good morals, remain focused on their studies and exercise caution when interacting with people who might seek to lure them into criminal activities.

The CEO warned that universities exposed students to different social pressures and negative influences, urging them to be vigilant against drug and substance abuse, criminal networks and other behaviours that could derail their ambitions.

He said the Sacco had established a mentorship programme to guide the students throughout their four years of university education, helping them navigate academic and social challenges.

On its financial performance, the Sacco is targeting Sh. 2 billion in revenue in 2027, with plans to strengthen its reserves and improve returns to members.

Mbui said the projected revenue would enable the institution to retain approximately Sh500 million, representing 25 per cent of its income, while about 30 per cent would be channelled towards members through interest on deposits and dividends.

He also reported that by September 2026, the Sacco had achieved approximately 130 per cent of its projected net income, while expenditure stood at 92 per cent of the budget, translating into savings of eight per cent.

He observed that the institution’s growth was generating wider economic benefits through employment creation, business opportunities for suppliers and tax contributions to the government.

The Sacco’s focus on inclusive governance, financial growth and educational support reflects its expanding role beyond financial services as it seeks to strengthen its relationship with members and invest in the next generation of professionals.

By Bernard Munyao and Florence Kinyua