For retirees who depend on their savings, the delays have been particularly devastating. Some claim they’ve been waiting over a year for refunds, while reports of unpaid dividends and a predicted meagre payout for 2024 have added fuel to the fire
Frustration is boiling over among members and retirees of Afya Sacco as social media platforms buzz with grievances over delayed refunds, poor communication, and alleged mismanagement. Once a trusted institution, the Sacco is now at the centre of a storm, accused of a severe liquidity crisis and crumbling financial management.
For retirees who depend on their savings, the delays have been particularly devastating. Some claim they’ve been waiting over a year for refunds, while reports of unpaid dividends and a predicted meagre payout for 2024 have added fuel to the fire.
Social media has become a battleground for discontented members. George Kimani, in a scathing Facebook post, didn’t hold back: “Our officials should camp in their offices, recover all the money, and pay us to end this painful embarrassment.”
Michael Legacy, another embittered member, described his exasperating journey through partial payments: “Filling forms and sitting back is not enough. You must seriously follow up and make noise. My 60-day notice expired in May 2024. When I went for a refund of shares, I only got Ksh 200,000. In July, after complaining to the financial controller, I received another Ksh 100,000. I’m still waiting for the balance of Ksh 1 million. This is business unusual at Afya Centre.”
Adelaide Ikalia, posting on X (formerly Twitter), advised fellow members to bypass the lower ranks altogether: “Branch level will not help you. Even the FOSA manager for HQ won’t help. You have to go straight to the CEO to sort out accounts and customer service issues.”
Conflicting messages from Sacco officials have further inflamed the situation. John Mumathi shared his bewildering experience: “I went to see the manager for my shares since I have my batch number. She told me my money is not ready, and even 2023 members haven’t received their refunds. The CEO gave me the same answer. So, whose money is ready, surely?”
Efforts to get clarity from Afya Sacco Chairperson Beatrice Mogire and CEO Florence Wambui have been met with silence, deepening the perception that the leadership is indifferent to members’ struggles.
This vacuum of communication has only galvanized the online outcry. From angry posts to calls for legal action, members are determined to hold the Sacco management accountable. Some are even mobilizing for collective action, signalling that this crisis is far from over.
A Ticking Time Bomb
The ongoing debacle underscores the urgent need for transparent and decisive leadership. What was once a beacon of financial trust now risks irreparable damage to its reputation. Until the Sacco’s management steps up to address these glaring issues, the voices of its members will grow louder—and so will their demands for justice.
