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The National Service and Walinzi Sacco Society Limited (Walinzi Sacco) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone with the signing of a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
The AGM, attended by private security guard delegates from all 47 counties, was a momentous occasion filled with smiles and joy as the partnership between Walinzi Sacco and KCB was formalized.
Dr. Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW), the Founder member and current Chairman of Walinzi Sacco, outlined the organization’s vision and mission in his keynote address. He expressed the Sacco’s commitment to serving humanity for a just and equitable society and outlined its ambitious goals for the private security industry in Kenya.
“Our dream for the Private Security Industry is to establish a formidable structured Union, advocate for sectoral reforms through laws and policies, establish a private security academy to professionalize the sector, and empower the guards by having a sector Sacco,” said Dr. Andabwa.
He highlighted the achievements of Walinzi Sacco, including the establishment of a structured Union with branches across all 47 counties, lobbying for the Private Security Regulation Act, 2016, and the formation of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
The AGM was also attended by representatives from the Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA), including Dr. Francis Mustapha, CEO of KSIA, and Mr. Sadiki Makii, General Secretary of KSIA, who expressed their support for the sector Sacco.
Under the signed MoU, KCB will mobilize financial resources to inject into Walinzi Sacco and develop financial products tailored to the needs of its members. These products include savings, credit, investment, and insurance options.
KCB’s top financial experts, Mr. Zachariah Cheruyot and Mr. Metric Bukhalasi, were present to witness the signing of the MoU on behalf of the company’s Managing Director.
In addition to financial support, KCB will offer training programs to empower private security guards with skills in savings and borrowing, provide investment opportunities for higher returns, and champion recruitment campaigns to boost the visibility and membership of the Union.
Dr. Andabwa expressed optimism about the future of Walinzi Sacco, stating, “We are optimistic of the Sacco being a bank within a year, given the membership potential, client products, and professional management.”
He urged private security officers to embrace the new partnership with KCB and join Walinzi Sacco en masse. “Just like the Police, Teachers, and Legal fraternities have independent Saccos, let the guards too own theirs,” he added.
Dr. Andabwa concluded by saying, “The MOU is bound to radically transform the private security industry, which is highly fragmented and remains marginalized.”
The partnership between Walinzi Sacco and KCB promises to bring positive changes to the private security industry in Kenya, empowering guards and enhancing professionalism in the sector.
