Interview with Evelyn Olunja, CEO | Kenya USA Diaspora Sacco

Seamless Xtra’s Alia AlHussein interviews Evelyn Olunja, CEO – Kenya USA Diaspora Sacco.

 

Evelyn is a visionary leader with extensive experience in financial inclusion, SACCO governance, and cooperative development, driving transformative growth in member-based financial institutions.

As the CEO of Kenya USA Diaspora Sacco (KUDS), Evelyn leads strategic initiatives that enhance financial access for diaspora communities, foster economic empowerment, and optimize technology-driven solutions for financial services.

 

Banking Without Borders: How Kenya USA Diaspora SACCO is Connecting Kenyans Abroad to Opportunities at Home

1. As CEO of a diaspora-focused SACCO, how have you worked to bridge financial services between the Kenyan diaspora and opportunities back home?

At Kenya USA Diaspora SACCO, our mission is to enable financial inclusion beyond borders by connecting diaspora members to investment, savings, and credit opportunities in Kenya.

We address the unique realities of diaspora income and credit by offering USD-denominated savings and loans. For example:

• Pamoja Savings Account – allows members to save in USD.
• Pamoja Loan Product – offers USD-denominated loans against USD savings, helping members avoid forex losses and delays, and making it easier to invest back home.

Through our investment subsidiary, KUDSIC, members co-invest in secure projects like Kisaju Meadows, enabling property ownership from abroad with transparent governance.

This model has not only bridged the financial gap but also given members the confidence to invest in their home country from anywhere in the world.

 

2. What unique challenges and opportunities come with serving a geographically dispersed membership, and how has your team addressed them?

Serving a membership across USA, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania means navigating multiple time zones, regulatory environments, and communication preferences.

We turned these challenges into opportunities by building a 24/7, fully digital service ecosystem supported by robust ICT systems.

Key initiatives include:

• Digital onboarding so members can join from anywhere.
• Online loan application & processing with automated workflows for faster turnaround.
• Loan calculator for informed borrowing decisions.
• Online money transfer integration for seamless remittances to Kenya.
• E-learning portal for ongoing member education.
• Online access to member statements, bylaws, and financial reports for transparency.
• Feedback feature to receive suggestions and complaints directly.

Information Security & ICT Infrastructure
We protect member data through firewalls, antivirus software, data encryption, approval-level access, CCTV surveillance, document registry, backups, and a Data Protection Policy. Periodic system audits ensure compliance and stability.

Omnichannel Communication
We maintain real-time engagement via email, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, virtual meetings, and our 8×8 contact centre—keeping members connected and informed regardless of location.

The result is higher engagement, faster service, and stronger member loyalty, all while turning our global footprint into a strategic advantage.

 

3. In what ways has digital innovation transformed your operations and member engagement at Kenya USA Diaspora SACCO?

Digital innovation has completely transformed our operations and strengthened member engagement. We evolved to a fully integrated, digital-first operation anchored on the CoopMIS core banking system, accessible worldwide.

Key digital innovations include:

• Online member portal & mobile access to balances, statements, and loan schedules.
• Automated loan workflows that significantly reduce turnaround time.
• Digital onboarding & recruitment portal for global membership growth.
• Online money transfer integration for fast remittances.
• Loan calculator for informed borrowing.
• Electronic Document Management System (DMS) for secure and accessible records.
• E-learning portal for webinars and training.
• Feedback & complaints feature for accountability.

We also run virtual education forums attracting members across time zones. Our multi-channel communication strategy—email, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, member portal, and the 8×8 contact centre—ensures members remain engaged and informed.

This transformation has delivered greater transparency, faster service, improved satisfaction, and operational efficiency, positioning KUDS as a tech-enabled, globally accessible SACCO.

 

4. What lessons have you learned about trust, governance, and growth while leading a regulated financial cooperative in such a niche space?

The biggest lesson is that trust is the true currency of a diaspora financial institution. Members entrust us with their savings from thousands of miles away, often without visiting a physical office. This makes transparency, compliance, digital security, and open communication non-negotiable.

Key lessons and actions taken:

• Regulatory compliance – Consistent adherence to SASRA regulations, timely submission of financial reports, and implementation of governance best practices.
• Governance inclusivity – Succession planning and inviting members meeting certain thresholds to be co-opted into leadership, enhancing transparency and ownership.
• Cybersecurity investment – Multi-layer authentication, member verification protocols, and periodic system audits to mitigate fraud risks in a virtual-only setup.
• Regular engagement – Virtual AGMs, e-newsletters, webinars, and responsive communication channels to keep members involved in decision-making.

The outcome: Trust has driven growth. Deposits, membership, and loan uptake have consistently increased—particularly with diaspora-tailored products like USD loans and real estate-backed investments.

We have learned that growth in a diaspora cooperative is built one transparent and consistent interaction at a time.

 

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