Kenya’s cooperative movement must deliberately invest in youth leadership, accountability, and strong governance to remain relevant and transformative, Commissioner for Cooperatives David Obonyo has said.
Speaking in Mombasa during the official closing of the 20th Annual National Cooperative Leaders Conference, Obonyo warned that the sector’s future depends on its ability to groom the next generation of leaders.
The three-day forum brought together stakeholders from across the country to reflect on the future of the sector. In his address, the Commissioner emphasized that cooperatives occupy a unique economic position, guided by values that distinguish them from conventional enterprises.
“Cooperative business subscribes to the seven cooperative principles which set it apart from any other business enterprise,” Obonyo said, urging leaders to protect these tenets as the foundation of sustainable growth.
A major focus of his remarks was the urgent need for succession planning. He cautioned that without deliberate mentorship of young people, many SACCOs and cooperative societies risk stagnation.
“Leaders should plan for future SACCO transformation by helping grow young leaders. Unless we have people who will take over from us, we will never be successful; it is the only way we can be sure of real transformation,” he stated.
Government Support and Legislation
Obonyo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the movement, describing it as a key driver of national development, job creation, and poverty reduction.
“The government recognizes cooperatives as vehicles of economic transformation. As a ministry, we are doing everything possible to ensure we create an enabling environment for cooperatives to thrive,” he said.
On the legislative front, Obonyo provided an update on the proposed legal framework for the sector. He noted that the new Cooperative Bill is currently awaiting adoption by Parliament.
“The new Bill is awaiting adoption by the two Houses to become the new cooperative law,” he explained. “We are committed and believe that very soon the Bill will be passed. It contains many provisions that will help the cooperative movement move to the next level.”
Institutions and Integrity
The Commissioner also paid tribute to key institutions supporting the ecosystem—including The Cooperative Bank of Kenya, CIC Insurance Group, and the Cooperative University of Kenya—describing them as pillars that have elevated Kenya’s movement to the global stage.
“Through these institutions, the cooperative movement in Kenya has become one of the best in the world. They are vital and need our consistent support,” he noted.
Concluding the conference, Obonyo challenged delegates to move from discussion to action, stressing that effective leadership must be defined by integrity and measurable progress.
“Let us put what we have learnt here into practice. We need to manage our cooperatives with accountability and become leaders who will be remembered for moving our organizations from point A to point B,” he said.
He closed with a call for unity: “Let us build a strong and more inclusive future through the cooperative sector—one that we can all cherish.”
