The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has come under scrutiny following an audit query on its staffing levels, after lawmakers questioned the impact of staff shortages on service delivery.
According to the Financial Year 2023/2024 audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General, the authority is operating with significantly fewer employees than required, raising concerns about workload and operational efficiency.
The audit revealed that SASRA currently has 93 staff members against an approved establishment of 145, leaving a shortfall of 52 employees equivalent to about 36 percent of the required workforce.
In its report, the Auditor-General noted that, “Review of the Authority's records revealed that it has an approved establishment of one hundred and forty-five (145) members of staff. However, the Authority has an in-post of ninety-three (93) staff members resulting in the understaffing of fifty-two (52) or 36 percent of the approved establishment. A situation that may lead to an overworked workforce.”
The report further warned that staff may be overworked leading to poor service delivery which may negatively impact on the realization of the Authority's goals.
The matter arose when SASRA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, David Sandiga appeared before the Emmanuel Wangwe-led National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) on March 11, 2026 to appraise MPs on the report tabled before the lawmakers.
During the session, the Nabakholo MP demanded an explanation from the authority’s management over the staffing deficit and the claims that workers were
"HR you've been accused of overworking your staff. How true is that, although it has been explained, what are you doing on the issue of deficit or the workforce. You're not addressing the real cause?" Wangwe asked.
Lawmakers also pressed SASRA to explain how it measures staff productivity amid the reported shortage.
On a rejoinder MP Owino Martins asked, " You've not met staffing establishment goals. Staff are overworked and overwhelmed, respond to this and tell us how you measure the work of your staff. We are not getting what we are looking for and you won't be helped if you don't tell us how you measure the productivity of your agency. So, they are not overworked?"
Responding to the concerns, Acting CEO David Sandiga explained that the approved staffing levels were determined through internal planning and financial considerations aligned with the authority’s strategic objectives.
“The approved establishment provides the optimal staffing numbers ideal to execute the Authority's mandate as per the strategic plan for the period ending December 2027,’’ Sandiga said.
“The approved staff establishment was informed by a workload analysis conducted in November 2023 which proposed an optimal number of 153 which was reduced to 145 at the point of approval by oversight.”
Sandiga also told the committee that SASRA is working with the Public Service Commission to review and align its human resource framework with national guidelines.
During the hearing, UDA nominated MP Jackson Kosgei questioned whether the staffing gap was denying job opportunities to young Kenyans and raised concerns about the health and wellbeing of employees.
UDA nominated MP, Jackson Kosgei wanted to know the status of health issues of the workers asking the CEO, " The Health issues are due to health constraints. Don't you think you're denying Kenyans an opportunity to get employed? More Young Kenyans are looking for Jobs. Don't you think you're being mean to several Kenyans tarmacing for jobs?"
In response, Sandiga defended the authority’s staff welfare measures.
"The authority has a good medical cover and we ensure our staff are able to work without compromising their work. We check mental and physical health routinely to ensure the health of our workers," Sandiga replied.
He also assured the legislators that SASRA remains committed to fair employment practices and expanding opportunities for young professionals.
"The Authority is an equal opportunity employer. With the youth representing about 36 percent of the workforce, we shall consider increasing this ratio," he concluded.
