How university Sacco is changing lives of members

For 153 staff of Laikipia University, the dream of owning a home is almost becoming a reality thanks to their society.

About 114 members of the Laikipia University Staff Housing Co-operative Society now own a 30-acre piece of land set aside for residential houses in the upcoming Milimani Estate on the outskirt of Nyahururu Town, Laikipia County.

The members, both casual and permanent workers, were issued with title deeds during an event presided over by Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi recently.

Dr Kiogora Kiugu, the society chairperson, said the institution is running three projects and the Nyahururu one is the first to be successful.

“We want to put up a gated community housing at the proposed Milimani estate in Nyahururu so that our members can own homes,” he said at the site. He noted that the 30-acre piece of land had been sub-divided into 114 quarter acres.

“The two other projects are in Nakuru at Gicheha farm and Ngata areas. The Ngata project has 106 beneficiaries while the Gicheha farm project has 47 beneficiaries who will benefit from a 15-acre piece of land meant for putting up residential units,” added the chairman.

Dr Kiugo noted that the Nyahururu project cost every member Sh287,000 for a quarter piece of land. The project started four years ago. He said the land value has also appreciated significantly since then.

“The reason we came up with the idea was because most of our staff operated from Nakuru town,” he said.

The Sacco also plans to construct residential houses consisting of apartments and masionettes.

“We are now planning to develop the properties where we will also have public amenities like hospitals, schools, among others,” the chairman said.