The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (Sasra) has asked 65 co-operatives to merge so as to raise their capital levels to 10 million as required by law so as to continue offering Front Office Savings Activities (FOSA). 
Amalgamation is a complicated process and more so as the said Saccos some were mismanaged and probably some are still refunding past members their deposits or have other debts. Saccos should not rush to have FOSAs and should concentrate on back office services until such a time they have the membership and financial capabilities to do so.
The following is an excerpt from the Co-operative Societies Act Cap 490 on amalgamation/mergers of co-operative societies:-
Section 29 Amalgamation of co-operative societies
(1) Any two or more co-operative societies (hereinafter referred to as amalgamating societies) may, by special resolution (in this section referred to as the preliminary resolution), resolve to amalgamate as a single society
(hereinafter referred to as the amalgamated society).
(hereinafter referred to as the amalgamated society).
(2) A copy of the preliminary resolution shall be sent to all the members and creditors of each of the amalgamating societies, and to all other persons whose interests in any of the amalgamating societies will be affected by the amalgamation.
(3) Any member of any of the amalgamating societies may, notwithstanding any by-law to the contrary, by notice in writing given to his society at least one month before the date specified as the date of amalgamation, intimate his intention not to become a member of the amalgamated society.
(4) Any creditor of any of the amalgamating societies may, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, by notice in writing given to such society at least one month before the date specified as the date of amalgamation, intimate his intention to demand the payment of any money due to him.
(5) Any other person whose interest will be affected by the amalgamation may, by notice in writing given to the concerned amalgamating society, not less than one month before the date specified as the date of amalgamation, object to the amalgamation unless his claim is satisfied.
(6) Not less than three months after the date of the meeting at which the preliminary resolution is passed, a further special general meeting of each of the amalgamating societies shall be held to consider the preliminary resolution and any notices received under this section.
(7) At the special general meeting held under subsection (6) provision shall be made by a further resolution of the society (in this section referred to as the secondary resolution) for—
(a) the repayment of the share capital of any member who has given notice under subsection (3);
(b) the satisfaction of any claims by creditors who have given notice under subsection (4); and
(c) the satisfaction of the claims of such other persons who have given notice under subsection (5) securing of their claims in such manner as determined or directed by the Commissioner. Provided that no member or creditor or other person shall be entitled to such repayment or satisfaction until the preliminary resolution is confirmed as provided in subsection (8).
(a) the repayment of the share capital of any member who has given notice under subsection (3);
(b) the satisfaction of any claims by creditors who have given notice under subsection (4); and
(c) the satisfaction of the claims of such other persons who have given notice under subsection (5) securing of their claims in such manner as determined or directed by the Commissioner. Provided that no member or creditor or other person shall be entitled to such repayment or satisfaction until the preliminary resolution is confirmed as provided in subsection (8).
(9) (1) If, within such time as the Commissioner considers reasonable, the Commissioner is satisfied that the secondary resolutions of each of the societies amalgamating comply with the provision of this section, he may register the amalgamated society and its by-laws and thereupon—
(a) each of the amalgamating societies shall stand dissolved and its registration cancelled;
(b) the registration of the amalgamated society shall be a sufficient conveyance to vest the assets and liabilities of the amalgamating societies in the amalgamated society;
(c) the remaining members of the amalgamating societies shall become members of the amalgamated society and will be subjected to its bylaws;
(d) any share holders of the amalgamating societies or any other persons who have claims against the amalgamating societies and whose claims were not satisfied in accordance with the secondary resolution, may pursue such claims against the amalgamated society.
(a) each of the amalgamating societies shall stand dissolved and its registration cancelled;
(b) the registration of the amalgamated society shall be a sufficient conveyance to vest the assets and liabilities of the amalgamating societies in the amalgamated society;
(c) the remaining members of the amalgamating societies shall become members of the amalgamated society and will be subjected to its bylaws;
(d) any share holders of the amalgamating societies or any other persons who have claims against the amalgamating societies and whose claims were not satisfied in accordance with the secondary resolution, may pursue such claims against the amalgamated society.
(10) Where the Commissioner refuses the amalgamation of the amalgamating societies under subsection (9) such societies may appeal against such refusal to the Minister.
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