Relief as Airport Sacco members choose dialogue over court case

A management row sparked by alleged financial mismanagement of Airports Sacco Limited will now be sorted out of court after the parties involved decided to talk and file a consent.

The Sacco that derives membership from Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staff had sued the Commissioner of Co-operative Societies and other six entities and individuals over management feuds, with members claiming loss of money.

“There is loss of members’ unknown amount of money due to failure to observe procedures and by-laws of the Sacco by board members,” papers filed before High court Judge Joseph Sergon read in part.

In their affidavit, Sacco representatives Rodgers Manana and Benjamin Kisang said there was conflict of interest on how the affairs of the savings institution that was started on November 11, 1994 were being run.

“The commissioner is intending to constitute the board regardless of eminent revolt against its acts by the society members. The board will be constituted by a person who is not eligible under the Airports Saving and Credit Co-operative by-laws,” the two alleged in their court papers.

Manana and Kisang further told the court that the commissioner had flouted by-laws of the society when he gave a green light to have elections conducted.

General meeting

The SACCO held its annual general meeting on March 21 and officials whose term had expired on December 21 last year were given the mandate to run the SACCO for another term of three years, ending in 2017. The four officials elected were Bernard Kemboi, Isaiah Luswet, Anthony Kulei and David Ong’ondo.

“The commissioner acted in disregard of the outcry of the SACCO members who were present during the election. The appointments were made against the by-laws. It is an act which is intended to defeat the objectives of the Airport Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Limited,” the court heard.

Among respondents cited was Sacco Societies Regulations Authority, which distanced itself from the allegations. Chief Executive Carilus Ademba said in his filed court papers the suit had erroneously drawn the regulator in the dispute though it was unaware of what was happening.