By Steve El Sabai
In a groundbreaking move poised to redefine the financial landscape for Kenya’s private security industry, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, on Tuesday presided over the official launch of the National Service & Walinzi Sacco (NSWS) at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi.
This historic initiative marks a turning point in the empowerment of thousands of private security guards and domestic workers—individuals who, despite their critical role in safeguarding lives and property, have long remained excluded from mainstream financial services.
“Today we launched the National Service & Walinzi Sacco—a bold stride toward empowering our private security personnel through cooperative and MSME development,” declared CS Oparanya. “We are laying the foundation for financial resilience, restored dignity in service, and sustainable livelihoods.”
The Cabinet Secretary hailed the formation of the Sacco as a “shining example of intentional financial inclusion”, emphasizing that the platform will provide a structured avenue for savings, responsible borrowing, asset accumulation, and most significantly, financial independence.
“For years, these essential workers have operated on the margins—unbanked, under-supported, and undervalued. This Sacco represents a fresh beginning, one that opens doors to a future rich with opportunity and equity,” Oparanya stated, urging unity and visionary leadership as key drivers of its success.
Isaac Andabwa, Chairperson of the NSWS, echoed the CS’s sentiments, underscoring the Sacco’s potential to transform the lives of Kenya’s security workforce. He pledged unwavering commitment to the cooperative’s mission of offering affordable credit, innovative investment solutions, and broader access to financial tools for its members.
“This is more than a financial institution—it is a beacon of hope,” Andabwa remarked. “With collective will and credible leadership, we have the potential to become the largest and most impactful Sacco in Kenya.”
James Ngari, Chief Executive Officer of the Sacco, captured the emotional resonance of the day. “Today is not merely the inauguration of a Sacco—it is the birth of hope,” he said. “It is an invitation to our members to dream boldly, to claim their financial autonomy, and to break through the barriers that have held them back for generations.”
NSWS will offer bespoke financial services including salary advances, development loans, targeted savings products, and credit facilities tailored to the unique realities of frontline workers. In addition, corporate partners within the security industry will benefit from payroll-based lending, asset financing, and invoice factoring—tools designed to boost both employee welfare and institutional efficiency.
Supported by the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development and strategic sector stakeholders, the National Service & Walinzi Sacco is not just a financial entity—it is a movement. One that affirms the worth of Kenya’s unsung heroes, and equips them with the means to thrive with dignity and stability.
As the sun set over the Ulinzi Sports Ground, the message was unmistakably clear: financial justice has arrived for Kenya’s frontline workers—and this is just the beginning.
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