Tujibidiishe SACCO Creates New Pathways for Kenya's Returned Migrant Workers to Build Sustainable Livelihoods

MOMBASA, Kenya (ILO News, 19 June 2026): Returned migrant workers in Kenya gained new opportunities to strengthen their economic resilience through the launch of the Tujibidiishe Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO), an initiative designed to promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and sustainable reintegration. The SACCO was officially launched by Dr Mbwarali Kame, Mombasa County Department of Education and Digital Transformation, Ms Aida Awel, ILO and Mr Joseph Mwema Mayo, Chairman of Tujibidiishe SACCO, on 19 June 2026 in Mombasa County, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the UK FCDO-funded Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme and the Destiny Path Foundation (DPF). The launch brought together 450 participants, including representatives from government institutions, such as the National Employment Authority (NEA), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), social partners, County Government officials, CSO’s, Tujibidiishe SACCO leadership and members, returned migrant workers, community leaders, and media representatives.

Tujibidiishe SACCO builds on a series of coordinated reintegration interventions implemented under the BRMM Programme to support returned migrant workers in rebuilding their livelihoods and strengthening their economic independence. More than 1,000 returned migrant workers have benefited from these interventions, which combine entrepreneurship training, skills development, mentorship and access to cooperative financial mechanisms. Through the ILO Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme, beneficiaries developed entrepreneurship and business management skills, while the ILO Think.Coop and Start.Coop methodologies supported cooperative development, savings culture, and collective financial empowerment through SACCO-based financial systems as sustainable pathways to economic resilience. The ILO, in partnership with DPF and Mtongwe Vocational Training Centre, also supported beneficiaries to access technical and vocational skills training to enhance their employability, diversify income opportunities and respond to local labour market needs. These interventions were complemented by three months of structured mentorship and coaching, enabling more than 70 percent of participants to establish sustainable businesses and laying the foundation for the establishment of Tujibidiishe SACCO.

Mombasa's youth and returnees deserve real economic opportunities. Through stronger technical training, blue economy pathways, and decent work initiatives, we can ensure that migration becomes a stepping stone to prosperity rather than a cycle of vulnerability

Dr. Mbwarali Kame, Mombasa County Department of Education and Digital Transformation

The launch highlighted key lessons for sustainable reintegration, particularly the importance of linking skills development with access to finance, markets and ongoing business support. Participants emphasized that returned migrant workers are not only beneficiaries of reintegration support but also important contributors to local economic development, entrepreneurship and job creation. As a financial inclusion mechanism, Tujibidiishe SACCO will enable members to mobilize savings, access affordable credit, strengthen household resilience and develop sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The initiative also demonstrates the value of collaboration among government institutions, development partners, social partners and community-based organizations in creating effective reintegration pathways for returned migrant workers. By combining entrepreneurship development, cooperative approaches, and financial inclusion, Tujibidiishe SACCO offers a promising model for sustainable reintegration that can support returned migrant workers in Kenya and offer lessons for other labour migration corridors across the East and Horn of Africa region.