BECOMING A MEMBER OF A SACCO

All co-operatives in the country have By-Laws that defines the procedure of becoming a member which could be based on the area of operation of the co-operative.

Save and Borrow

QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. You have to be within the area of operation of that society that you want to join. This means that you have to be in say Uasin Gishu County or to be more specific Eldoret East District. However the area of operation is defined in the By-Laws of the society. Some co-operatives have a whole country as their area of operation and some don't so find out the area of operation of a society you want to join.
2. You have have to be within the field of membership with a certain defined common bond. That is to say, you can be an employee of a certain company, a member of a certain church or own land or business within the society's area of operation or doing business within the area of operation of the society you want to join.
3. You must be 18 years and over
4. You must be of good character and of sound mind
5. You will also be required to pay an entrance fees and minimum share capital as required by the By-Laws of the society you want to join.

Saccos are a great way of saving and borrowing.

Once you become a member i.e. when you have been presented with membership application form and you being accepted by the society, you will be required to start your monthly contributions immediately which must be consecutive for you to qualify for any loan after usually six months.

Once you sign the membership application form and accepted by the society, you will now be bound by the By-Laws of the society and policies and resolutions of the general meetings of the society. You will be subjected to a fine not exceeding Ksh. 20,0000.00 for any volition of By-Laws.

WHEN AND HOW DO YOU CEASE BEING A MEMBER OF A SACCO?

When do you cease/stop being a member of a Sacco/Co-operative? Many By-Laws state that membership in the society shall cease or deemed to have ceased in regard to any member from the date of:

DON'T STOP BELIEVING IN SACCOs!!

(i) Death

(ii) Withdrawal

(iii) Expulsion

(iv) Being certified to be of unsound mind.

(v) Transfer of shares to another member.

(vi) Failure to remit share contributions and loan repayments for a continuous period of six months without valid reasons or leave of the society.

(vii) Ceasing to hold qualification for membership as specified in these by-laws provided that members who have lost the common bond may retain their membership.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS OF A SACCO

The committee may suspend a member subject to the decision of the general meeting to expel who:

a) fails to fulfill his/her obligations to the society whether stated in these by-laws, general internal regulations, a resolution of the general meeting or in contravention of any other legal document, provided such a member has been called upon to do so but has failed,

b) Is convicted in a court of law for a criminal offence involving dishonesty or fraud or is, imprisoned for a period of three months or more,

c) Is a member of another society having similar objects,

d) Acts in any manner prejudicial to the interests of the society.

Provided that, no member shall remain in suspension for a period of more than 12 months.

PROCEDURE OF SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

a) Upon formal and written proof that a member has committed a violation punishable by expulsion, the committee shall serve a thirty (30) days written notice to the member stating the reason(s) for the proposed expulsion and requiring him/her to file a defense.

b) Upon the expiry of the 30 days and taking into consideration the member’s defense if any, the committee shall initiate administrative inquiry and make a decision on its findings within 15 days. The Committee may;-

i. Suspend the member pending expulsion by the General Meeting or

ii. Impose any other punishment as provided for in the applicable law.

c) The suspended member may appeal to the supervisory committee if not satisfied with the decision of the committee.

d) The committee and supervisory committee shall present their findings to the next General meeting which may either lift the suspension or expel the member.

e) A member who is expelled from the Sacco society shall have the right to appeal to the tribunal.