Kenyan Delegation Visit

Cooperation among Cooperatives - Sharing the Irish experience

Donore Credit Union was delighted to host a delegation from Kenya on Tuesday, 19 August. The delegation comprised of government officials from Kenya, members of the Committee of Experts appointed by the Minister for Cooperatives, and representatives from the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).

The visit to Ireland was organised by ACCOSCA in conjunction with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) and the ILCU International Development Foundation (the Foundation). The two-day visit was led by Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, he was accompanied by Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, and his advisors, alongside Marlene Shiels, Chair and Nelson Kuria, Vice-Chair, Committee of Experts, and Joan Atuhurra and David Mategwa from ACCOSCA.

The purpose of the visit was to learn from the Irish Credit Union movement. The Committee of Experts were appointed by the Cabinet Secretary to evaluate and propose amendments to the SACCO Act (SACCOs are credit unions in East Africa). The Irish credit union movement is one of the most popular credit union movements in the world, and other countries look to Ireland as they strengthen their own respective movements. The delegation met with ILCU staff and the Central Bank of Ireland to discuss various topics, in advance of visiting Donore Credit Union, Ireland's first credit union.

David McAuley, CEO, alongside Kevin Cleary, Chair, gave a short presentation on Donore Credit Union, its history, its focus on members, and the role the credit union plays within its diverse community. Speaking about the visit, Dave McAuley, said, "It was a pleasure to welcome the delegation to Donore Credit Union, as Ireland's first credit union we are proud to share our story and experience with others.”

Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary, thanked Donore Credit Union for hosting the visit, he noted that "[we] want to strengthen the cooperative movement in Kenya" and he praised Donore for their focus on community. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, commended Donore for the warm welcome, and "its passion for the cooperative philosophy to change people's lives".  The Cabinet Secretary presented David, Kevin and Vincent with gifts on behalf of the delegation.

Brendan Jenkins, President, ILCU, thanked Donore Credit Union for their Céad Míle Failte, “the visit is a fantastic opportunity for the delegation to see and hear at first-hand about Irish credit unions, and the work they do not just in providing financial services, but the excellent work they do to support the wider community.