Nyeri County has a robust cooperative movement, which currently encompasses over 198 active cooperative societies with a membership exceeding 500,000 and an annual turnover surpassing Ksh 8 billion. This includes 25 dairy cooperatives distributed across all sub-counties.
The cooperatives serve various sectors throughout the county, including marketing cooperatives for coffee, dairy, poultry, bananas, cereals, potatoes, and herbal products. Transportation cooperatives primarily focus on Matatu, Boda Boda, and lorry services. Savings and Credit cooperatives also cater to employees, farmers, and the business community.
The cooperative sector significantly contributes to economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation for the residents of Nyeri.
Recently, officers from the Department of Trade, Tourism, Culture, and Cooperative Development completed a three-day training program on the Foundations of Cooperative Governance. This course, organized by the County in collaboration with The Co-operative University of Kenya, aimed to enhance skills in cooperative leadership, financial management, policy development, and strategic planning. Diana Kendi, the County Minister responsible for the Department, emphasized their commitment to achieving the set goals and objectives to uplift the members of various cooperatives.
During the workshop, participants were guided through six key modules:
- Cooperative Business Model – covering Governance Structures, Legislative Frameworks, and Board Roles.
- Policy Development Process – focusing on the stages of policy formulation and its key components.
- Interpretation of Cooperative Financial Records – including financial ratios, budgeting, and SACCO regulations.
- Innovative Marketing Strategies for Cooperative Success – discussing market research, value addition, and branding.
- Strategic Planning for Cooperatives – addressing strategic thinking, implementation, and monitoring.
- Adult Facilitation Skills (Andragogy) – covering the principles of adult learning and effective delivery techniques.
When a cooperative thrives, it benefits the entire community. A successful cooperative can create jobs, provide investment opportunities, and foster collaborative growth.
What is Cooperative Governance?
Cooperative governance involves steering cooperatively owned enterprises toward economic, social, and cultural success. According to trade experts, the key pillars of cooperative governance include:
- Teaming: Successfully working together to achieve a common purpose.
- Accountable Empowerment: Effectively empowering people while holding them accountable for the authority granted to them.
- Strategic Leadership: Clearly articulating the cooperative’s direction and setting up the organization to move toward this goal.
- Democracy: Practicing, protecting, promoting, and perpetuating healthy democratic processes.
Overall, effective cooperative governance ensures that the benefits of cooperatives reach and uplift the entire community.
Nyeri Department of Trade, Tourism, Culture and Cooperative Development’s Officers.
