By Urban Shihemi, 5 November 2025 

In a historic milestone, Mwalimu National DT Sacco, one of Kenya’s most distinguished and influential savings and credit cooperative societies, yesterday unveiled a fully Shari’ah-compliant financial window Mualim, following approval from the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA).

This bold innovation signals a transformative chapter in the Sacco’s quest to deepen inclusivity, promote ethical finance, and serve its increasingly diverse membership base.

The Mualim product which is well structured to comply with Islamic finance standards ensuring fairness and justice in financial dealings expects to attract at least 20% of its 170,000 members.

Muslim members who previously avoided conventional financial services due to interest accrual on loans and dividends will now be catered for through Mualim which operates under a separate business unit with its own financial records, account, and governance mechanisms to maintain strict adherence to shariah principles.

Speaking during the launch, chief guest, Deputy Chief Kadhi Sukyan Hassan Omar, commended Mwalimu Sacco for its visionary leadership and courageous step in fostering financial inclusivity and religious sensitivity. “This initiative is a profound testament to pro-inclusivity and respect for diversity within Kenya’s financial architecture,” he observed.

“By establishing this Shari’ah-compliant window, Mwalimu Sacco is meaningfully responding to the spiritual and financial needs of its Muslim members, ensuring that all Kenyans enjoy fair and ethical financial services.”

Deputy Chief Kadhi Omar who is also the acting Chief Kadhi further lauded the Sacco’s management for aligning the initiative with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, particularly Article 10, which enshrines fairness, equity, inclusivity, and social justice. He urged the Sacco’s board to safeguard Mualim’s sustainability through sound financial, human, and institutional investment.

He also appealed to the Muslim community to embrace this transformative opportunity by enrolling, saving, and investing in Mualim’s suite of products.

Additionally, he called upon regulators and stakeholders, including the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), to strengthen policies that nurture the growth of Shari’ah-compliant financial systems. He encouraged learning institutions and the judiciary to expand educational and legal frameworks supporting Islamic finance.

The Mualim window is poised to reshape Kenya’s cooperative sector by setting a powerful precedent for other Saccos to emulate.

With this groundbreaking initiative, Mwalimu Sacco has reaffirmed its leadership in financial innovation, paving the way toward a more inclusive, faith-sensitive, and sustainable economic future for all.

Addressing the gathering, Mwalimu Sacco national chairman Joel Gachari described the occasion as a defining moment for the cooperative movement, noting that it symoolizes the Sacco’s progressive spirit and unwavering commitment to inclusivity.

He emphasized that the creation of Mualim enhances member confidence and fosters a stronger sense of belonging across all demographics. “This launch is not only symbolic but also practical in bridging long-standing gaps in financial accessibility. Mwalimu Sacco continues to demonstrate that inclusivity and innovation can coexist harmoniously within the cooperative sector,” Gachari remarked.

Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Odhiambo reaffirmed the Sacco’s devotion to serving the diverse needs of its members with integrity and foresight. “The introduction of Mualim is the culmination of meticulous planning and our enduring dedication to being a progressive, member-centered institution,” he said. “Through this window, we are delivering ethical, sustainable, and profitable financial alternatives that are entirely interest-free, empowering members to thrive while upholding their faith and moral principles.”