Counties should leverage co-operatives to develop

There is more to celebrate for the Kenyan co-operative sector. The role of co-operatives in counties is significant in the development agenda.

In Nyeri County, co-operatives are the backbone of the socio-economic empowerment of residents. The County has diverse co-operatives involved in manufacturing, housing, value addition, transport, Saccos, agriculture, youth and women in businesses.

It is through co-operatives that coffee production and earnings have improved over the last two years. Our coffee farmers are now getting better returns on their coffee proceeds.  

The support of the National Government and County Government of Nyeri under Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) programmes, laptops and digital weighing machines distribution project, lime donation programmes, and road improvement have contributed to the success of co-operatives locally.

In the dairy sector, a lot of efforts have been made to make ends meet for the farmers, with the county government supporting societies with milk coolers and assisting farmers’ access to artificial insemination for improved breeds. Such collaborations are vital for the success of the sector. 

Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies also play a vital role in transforming the lives of members and their dependents. They have created employment for many people and lifted our County’s economy.

In Nyeri, we are glad that the county government has been instrumental in creating a conducive environment to enable co-operatives to thrive. Over the last years, the County has been sponsoring co-operative leaders for training at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology to equip them with relevant skills and knowledge, especially on the adoption of modern technology.

Our transport Saccos have also played a great role in facilitating the National Transport System and putting in place self-regulatory measures to reduce road carnage.

Our housing co-operatives also improve the quality of life by assisting members to acquire low-cost homes. The youth and women co-operatives are enabling many to create employment, thus reducing social ills such as drug abuse.

The cooperative spirit requires us to join hands as we move forward toward our goal. Let’s keep cooperating with each other to build a better world together.

Newton Ndiritu, Nyeri County ICA Chairman