Harambee Sacco targets retirees and youth in new drive to expand membership

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 4 – Harambee Sacco has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at boosting savings among youth, informal sector workers, and retirees, as it seeks to broaden its member base and promote an inclusive savings culture.

The Sacco is currently touring different regions to engage members and recognize individuals who have saved more than Sh1 million, with the goal of reinforcing saving as a long-term financial strategy.

“These members have provided us with the capital we lend out to support national development,” said CEO Dr. George Ochiri, during the tour.

A major focus of the campaign is the reintegration of retired members, a group that Ochiri described as “a forgotten population” despite their long-standing contributions. He emphasized that retirees remain members for life and are free to rejoin without losing their share capital or membership numbers.

“There is a forgotten population—our senior citizens. Once a member of Harambee, you remain a member for life,” Ochiri said.

He noted that even retirees who exited the Sacco years ago are still recorded in the system and can resume membership without new registration. The move is expected to stabilize deposits and expand long-term savings from an older demographic with more predictable incomes.

In an effort to attract younger Kenyans and informal sector workers, Harambee Sacco is introducing flexible savings and credit products tailored to first-time savers. New members can join with a minimum contribution of Sh1,000, and those who remain active for three months will qualify for a starter “Karibu Loan” of up to Sh500,000.

The Sacco is also exploring ways to support youth in homeownership, partnering with the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) to offer affordable housing finance.

“You don’t need to pay rent forever—we’ll help you own a home, even if it’s a studio or one-bedroom,” Ochiri said.

He further praised the regulatory oversight provided by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), describing the environment as strong and reliable, and reassuring members that their savings are safe.

The outreach campaign comes at a time when many Saccos are reassessing their member engagement strategies to stay relevant in a changing economic landscape and amid shifting demographic trends.