Meru transport sacco buys tanker

Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Abothoguchi West MCA Patrick Muthuri, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima at the unveiling of the oil tanker bought by Diligence Sacco at Githongo, Meru. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Pooling resources for economic empowerment was key to the success of a public transport sacco in Meru County.

In 2013, 37 taxi operators from Abothoguchi in Central Imenti started a self-help group with the goal of saving their earnings.

Five years down the line, the membership of Diligence Sacco has grown to 200. The members have not only bought over 200 taxis but have opened a petrol station and bought a Sh8 million oil tanker.

“Diligence Sacco started in 2013 with 37 members and registered as Mema Taxi Self-help Group. Our loading bay was a veranda outside Equity Bank, and we aimed to offer a transport solution for residents and local businesses,” said Chairman Patrick Mwenda.

With their savings, Diligence opened a petrol station at Kithirune in Central Imenti in July 2017. The sacco recently capped the achievement when it received the new tanker.

Mwenda says even after the investments, the savings stood at Sh5 million.

“Of this we have been able to offer loans and other facilities to members,” he said.

Speaking when Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and MPs Kirima Nguchine and Mugambi Rindikiri graced an event to receive the new tanker, Mwenda said residents had contributed to their success by using their taxis and buying petroleum products.

“This is proof of what can be achieved when people come together. We serve the community diligently and in turn the community supports us. This is a good model of how we can mutually benefit,” he said.