There was thunderous applause inside Safari Park Hotel as the CEO of Yetu DT Sacco, CPA Dennis Kirimi, rose to receive the Outstanding SACCO CEO of the Year Award during the Ujasiri Leba Awards 2026. Delegates, regulators, SACCO leaders, and guests from across Kenya’s cooperative movement stood in celebration as Yetu DT Sacco earned one of the sector’s highest honors for visionary leadership, innovation, and member-centered growth.
The award citation praised CPA Dennis Kirimi for “visionary leadership, operational excellence, member-first innovation, and building a culture where every staff member counts.” For many within Kenya’s cooperative sector, the recognition came as no surprise. Over the last three years, Yetu DT Sacco has transformed from a respected mid-sized SACCO into one of the country’s fastestgrowing Tier-1 Deposit-Taking SACCOs. Under the leadership of CPA Dennis Kirimi, the institution has expanded its asset base from Kshs 3.9 billion to Kshs 8.1 billion while growing membership from 31,000 to more than 54,000 active members.
The SACCO has also maintained strong governance standards, posting unqualified audit opinions for four consecutive years and maintaining liquidity and capital ratios above SASRA requirements. Despite the recognition, CPA Dennis Kirimi was quick to shift attention away from himself and toward the team behind the SACCO’s success.
“This is not my award,” he said during his acceptance speech. “It belongs to every member of staff, every board member, and every member who believes in Yetu DT Sacco. Leadership only works when people work together.” That message of teamwork and shared responsibility has become central to Yetu DT Sacco’s culture. Industry observers say the SACCO’s success has been driven by disciplined governance, strategic leadership, investment in staff development, and a consistent focus on member needs. Staff turnover currently stands at just 5 percent, significantly lower than the SACCO industry average.
Under CPA Dennis Kirimi’s leadership, Yetu DT Sacco has also invested heavily in digital transformation through the Yetu App and USSD platform, enabling members to access loans and services more efficiently. Among the SACCO’s most successful innovations is Yetu QuickCash, a mobile loan facility that processed more than 78,000 loans in 2025 alone. For many members, Yetu DT Sacco’s impact extends beyond financial services. James Mwangi, a boda boda operator from Eldoret, says joining the SACCO changed his life. “I started with Kshs 500 in savings,” he said. “Today I own two motorcycles and support my family because Yetu believed in me.
The institution has continued expanding its branch network across Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Meru, and Kisumu, with plans underway to open a Mombasa branch later this year.
Sector leaders attending the awards ceremony described Yetu DT Sacco as a model for the future of cooperative finance in Kenya — balancing rapid growth with prudent risk management and strong governance.
As the evening came to a close, CPA Dennis Kirimi reminded staff and members that the recognition was only the beginning. “Awards are not ceilings,” he said. “They are foundations. We celebrate today, but tomorrow we continue serving. Because our members do not eat trophies. They eat results.” His remarks captured the spirit behind Yetu DT Sacco’s rise — courageous leadership, teamwork, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to members.
