Cooperatives Bill mediation: what SACCO members should know

Get breaking business news on WhatsApp

The Cooperatives Bill mediation text would give SACCOs a national Commissioner, county commissioners and clearer registration rules. The National Assembly Order Paper of 5 November 2026 asked the House to adopt the Mediation Committee report on Bill No. 7 of 2024 and approve the mediated version published in the Notices. It is not yet assented law.

What the mediated Cooperatives Bill does

The mediated version printed in the 5 November Order Paper Notices would enact a Cooperatives Act, 2026 establishing the Office of the Commissioner for Cooperative Development nationally and a County Commissioner for Cooperatives in each county. It covers promotion, registration and regulation of cooperatives and inter-governmental cooperative relations.

SACCOs registered under the Sacco Societies Act would remain licensed, regulated and supervised by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA). The Commissioner would keep the national register, authorise auditing firms for cooperatives and report annually to the Cabinet Secretary.

What SACCO members should know

Members should watch how the new national and county offices split registration and oversight from SASRA’s prudential role. The mediated text protects the word “Cooperative” in business names and requires secondary cooperatives and federations to show that status in their names. Deposit and share-capital definitions in the interpretation clause will matter for how member balances are treated under the new Act.

For existing SACCO product comparisons, see our join and loan guides such as Business Radar SACCO explainers already on the site.

What happens next

Article 113 mediation means both Houses must agree the mediated text. The 5 November motion sought adoption of the Mediation Committee report laid on 4 November 2026. Until the Bill is passed in the agreed form and assented to, the current Cooperatives and Sacco Societies statutes continue to apply.

County governments that already run cooperative desks will need to align staffing with the statutory County Commissioner role. National apex bodies should track how the Commissioner’s authorised auditor list interacts with existing audit appointments. Members voting at AGMs this season can ask boards whether by-laws need updates once the Cooperatives Act, 2026 short title takes effect after assent.

For readers tracking Cooperatives Bill, the takeaway is practical: SACCO boards should brief members when the Cooperatives Bill mediation text is assented. See also drinking age 21 Bill. This Cooperatives Bill briefing sticks to primary documents only.

Frequently asked questions

Will SASRA stop regulating SACCOs?

No. The mediated text keeps SACCOs under SASRA licensing and supervision.

What is new for ordinary cooperatives?

A national Commissioner and county commissioners for registration, growth and regulation, plus clearer naming rules.

Is the Cooperatives Bill law today?

No. The House was asked to approve the mediated version; assent is still required.