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Our Mission & Vision
For us, “Economic Emancipation” signifies true financial freedom. It is the freedom from the insecurity of high-risk, informal investments. It is the power to build substantial, inheritable wealth for your family. And it is the ability to create tangible opportunities and contribute to a self-reliant, prosperous Kenya.
Transparency
We believe in open and honest communication. Our members have a right to clear, timely, and comprehensive information about our investment portfolio, financial performance, and governance decisions.
Integrity
We conduct all our affairs with the highest ethical standards. Our commitment to integrity ensures that the interests of our members are always our first priority.
Community (Umoja)
We are more than a cooperative; we are a community. We foster a strong network of members across the United States, united by a shared connection to Kenya and a common goal of collective prosperity.
Excellence (Bidii)
We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence. From our rigorous investment vetting process to our professional management and member services, we strive to deliver best-in-class performance and create lasting value for our member-owners.
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Membership
Joining Uchumi means more than just making an investment; it means becoming a co-owner of a powerful, diversified portfolio of Kenyan assets. It’s your opportunity to build personal wealth while contributing directly to the nation’s progress.
Eligibility
Open to anyone in the USA with a direct or indirect connection to Kenya
Investment
A minimum purchase of 2 shares establishes your ownership stake ($1,000 total)
Benefit
Earn dividends, benefit from capital appreciation, and have a voice in our collective future.
Your Path to Membership in 4 Simple Steps
Becoming a Member-Owner is Simple and Secure
Step 1: Apply Online
Complete our secure online membership application form. You will be asked to provide your personal details and upload the required documentation.
Step 2: Verification
Our membership team will carefully review your application and documents to ensure everything is in order. This process typically includes verifying a copy of your ID (e.g., Passport) and a passport-sized photograph, which are standard requirements for joining a Kenyan cooperative.
Step 3: Invest in Your Share
Upon approval, you will be invited to make your initial investment. This includes the one-time membership fee and the purchase of your minimum share capital, which establishes your ownership stake in the cooperative.
Step 4: Welcome to Uchumi
Once your investment is confirmed, you will receive an official welcome package with your membership number and details. You are now a co-owner of Uchumi Cooperative Union, with full access to our investment portfolio updates, member communications, and voting rights.
The Benefits of Being a Member-Owner
More than an investor, Youre an Owner
We believe in complete transparency regarding the financial commitment of membership. The following table breaks down the investment structure, clarifying the purpose of each component. It is important to distinguish between administrative
fees, which support our professional operations, and your share capital, which is your direct ownership investment.
Your Investment Structure
We believe in complete transparency regarding the financial commitment of membership. The following table breaks down the investment structure, clarifying the purpose of each component. It is important to distinguish between administrative fees, which support our professional operations, and your share capital, which is your direct ownership investment.
Membership Fee
A one-time, non-refundable administrative fee to establish your membership account and conduct initial due diligence. This covers the cost of onboarding and regulatory compliance.
Minimum Share Capital
Your ownership stake in the cooperative, represented by 2 shares at $500 per share. This is your investment capital, not a fee. It is non-withdrawable but transferable to another member and is what qualifies you to earn annual dividends based on the cooperative’s performance.
Annual Renewal Fee
An annual fee that sustains the professional management of the cooperative. It covers ongoing operational costs, including legal compliance, independent audits, professional investment analysis, and member services, ensuring the Union is run to the highest institutional standard.
More Than an Investor, You’re an Owner
The Benefits of Being a Member-Owner
Membership in Uchumi Cooperative Union provides a host of benefits that go far beyond a simple financial return. As a member-owner, you gain
Opportunity to Earn Dividends
As a co-owner, you are entitled to a share of the cooperative’s profits. At the end of each financial year, profits from our successful investments are distributed to members as dividends, proportional to your shareholding.
Capital Appreciation
You benefit directly from the long-term growth in the value of the cooperative’s underlying assets. As our portfolio of real estate, agribusiness, and other ventures appreciates, so does the value of your stake in the Union.
Access and Diversification
Gain immediate access to a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of Kenyan assets. Achieving this level of diversification and accessing these types of institutional-grade deals as an individual investor would be difficult and costly.
Democratic Voting Rights
You have a voice in the governance of the cooperative. Each member has the right to vote in the election of the Board of Directors and on major decisions at the Annual General Meeting, ensuring the leadership remains accountable to you.
Becoming a Member-Owner is Simple and Secure.
We have streamlined our application process to make it straightforward and transparent. Follow these four steps to begin your journey as a member-owner of Uchumi.