By Sarah Onwong’a, SACCO Times.

Newfortis Sacco stole the spotlight at the Nyeri Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show
this year with a powerful message of strength, prosperity, and innovation. The SACCO
emerged as a top performer across key categories, firmly cementing its position as a pillar in
the cooperative movement and a forward-looking player in the country’s financial sector.
Showcasing its leadership in the cooperative space, Newfortis Sacco clenched the first position
under the category of Best Cooperative Movement or SACCO Stand. This recognition is a
testament to the SACCO’s outstanding overall performance and strong financial health. Earlier
in the year, during its Annual General Meeting, the SACCO reported robust financial results
showcasing significant growth across key performance indicators. These achievements reflect
the SACCO’s continued commitment to stability, growth, and value creation. With a steadily
expanding asset base and increasing member dividends, the SACCO has consistently delivered
results that inspire confidence among members and stakeholders, culminating in this welldeserved award.
Further amplifying its commitment to member wellbeing, the SACCO is currently offering a
dividend advance of up to 75 percent, allowing members access to immediate liquidity in
anticipation of their end-of-year returns.
Demonstrating excellence in technological innovation and commitment to financial
empowerment, Newfortis Sacco received recognition for Best Display in Data and Mobile
Services overall.
The society has been making deliberate strides in technological innovation, an area that
continues to redefine the future of SACCO services in Kenya. One of the most significant
upgrades is the enhancement of its mobile application. Previously, the app only offered a ministatement feature, but with the latest update, members can now access full account statements
directly from their smartphones, empowering members with real-time financial information.
Complementing this digital leap is the SACCO’s Lipa na Fortis platform. Members and
businesses can now make payments using the SACCO’s paybill platform, with the added
functionality of a custom narrative as the account number and 339450 as the business number.
This feature not only simplifies payments but also provides enhanced clarity for businesses and
individuals tracking transactions. These upgrades demonstrate Newfortis Sacco’s alignment
with the needs of a digitally-savvy membership.
Through its captivating display that blended creativity and heritage, the SACCO took home
third-place award for Best Stand Interpreting the Current Show Theme – Financial Industry.
What truly set Newfortis Sacco apart was the depth and symbolism of its exhibition.
The centrepiece of its stand was an elephant, an intentional and meaningful representation of
the SACCO’s identity and values. In many cultures, elephants are seen as emblems of strength,
wisdom, and endurance, and for Newfortis Sacco, this imagery could not have been more
fitting.
The elephant embodied the institution’s formidable asset base, its resilience in a dynamic
financial industry, and its longstanding presence spanning nearly five decades. It also
symbolized prosperity, good fortune, and loyalty, all the core values that the SACCO continues
to uphold in its daily operations. Perhaps most powerfully, the elephant served as a tribute to
the SACCO’s earliest members. Just as elephants are known for their remarkable memory,
Newfortis Sacco’s journey reflects a deep remembrance and respect for those who believed in
its mission from the beginning. The vitality of the SACCO, its ability to adapt, grow, and
remain relevant is also reflected in this symbol, reinforcing its enduring promise to support
members at every step.
These wins were complemented by a strong second-place finish in the Best Financial Institution
Other Than a Bank category.
Securing this award underscore the SACCO’s growing influence within Kenya’s financial
cooperative sector. As the financial services sector in Kenya becomes increasingly competitive,
institutions like Newfortis Sacco prove that member-focused, technology-driven, and valuebased cooperatives still have a critical role to play in driving inclusive economic development.
From humble beginnings in 1976 with just 857 members drawn from the teaching fraternity,
NewFortis Sacco has grown into a formidable financial institution, boasting 22,942 members
as of December 2024. This impressive growth is not only a testament to the SACCO’s
resilience and visionary leadership but also to the trust and loyalty it has cultivated. What began
as a modest initiative to empower educators has transformed into a dynamic, member-driven
organization serving a broad spectrum of professions.
Looking ahead, NewFortis Sacco envisions becoming a leading one-stop financial solutions
provider in Kenya, anchored on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. With a renewed
focus on digital transformation, financial literacy, and product diversification, the SACCO
aims to elevate member experiences and empower communities. Its remarkable trajectory is a
legacy in motion, and the journey forward promises even greater impact for generations to come