The Eliud Owalo Foundation, in collaboration with the State Department for Cooperatives, held a one-day workshop in Bondo Town for over 65 Women Cooperative leaders from all 30 wards of Siaya County. The workshop’s theme was ‘SACCO Governance for Growth.’

Key topics addressed included legal compliance, financial management, resource mobilization, and international cooperative best practices. Participants also gained insights into grassroots financial strategies designed to strengthen economic resilience among women-led cooperatives and explored successful cooperative business models adaptable to the local context.

Among the women SACCO leaders present were Millicent Ogonda (Ugunja), Benta Owuor (Ugenya), Selphine Oyugi (Rarieda), Millicent Oduor (Gem), Mildred Ochieng (Alego Usonga), Rosemary Ngesa (Bondo), and Mildred Ochieng, Chairperson of Wamama na Maendeleo CBO Siaya County.

Representing the State Department for Cooperatives were Senior Deputy Commissioner Ann Mutinda and Assistant Deputy Commissioner Peter Okul, who facilitated the sessions alongside Siaya-based Cooperative Officers Martin Wanjala and Catherine Amondi.

Rosemary Ngesa, Chairperson of Bondo Women SACCO, commended the Eliud Owalo Foundation’s targeted efforts in women’s economic empowerment and cooperative development as key elements of its community transformation agenda. Mildred Ochieng, Chairperson of Wamama na Maendeleo, highlighted the foundation’s instrumental role in transitioning women’s groups into fully operational SACCOs across the county’s six sub-counties.

The Eliud Owalo Foundation reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to connecting women SACCOs with strategic networks, partnerships, and business opportunities to enhance their long-term growth and sustainability.