Women from Kisii County have been challenged to embrace the co-operative movement by transforming their groups into saccos for self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Nominated Senator Janet Ong'era has encouraged women to embrace Saccos either by joining the existing ones or forming their specialised saccos based on their fields of concentration to economically empower themselves and transform their families' living standards.
Speaking at Gusii stadium on Sunday during a funds drive in aid of Kisii County Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization, Ong'era commended the country's oldest women movement for taking the establishment of women saccos to sub-counties across the county to ensure women at the grassroots benefit from Saccos.
This she said will enable women to empower themselves economically instead of seeking credit from financial institutions which charge high and prohibitive interest rates.
The Senator observed that MYWO's initiative of establishing saccos at sub-counties will not only financially empower grassroots women but will also create investment opportunities for them to transform their areas into vibrant economic blocs across the county.
"The move by Kisii County Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization leadership to champion the establishment of women-run saccos at sub-counties is commendable as it will not only enhance continuity and sustainability of the women movement projects and investments managed by women themselves," stated Ong'era.
She clarified that though she has a sacco, as a woman leader, she was not against MYWO's move to start its Saccos describing it as a healthy competition that will lead to quality and competitive services by the competitors.