Thousands of cooperators in Kitui County joined the rest of the cooperative movement in this year’s 103rd International Cooperatives Day celebrations. They held their celebrations at the Kitui British American Tobacco (BAT) Grounds in Kitui Town, where the Kitui County Trade, Industry, Medium and Small-Medium Enterprises, Innovation, and Cooperatives Minister Rose Mawia Mutuku was the event’s chief guest.
“The county recognizes the vital role cooperatives play in fostering inclusive economic growth, empowering communities, and promoting democratic values in business through a cooperative model,” Mutuku said. She noted that rooted in shared ownership and democratic control, cooperatives deliver practical solutions that place the people, planet, and purpose at the heart of development.
Kitui County has 460 registered cooperative societies with a total membership of over 146,016 and an asset base of Ksh 14.5 billion. The minister said the county has potential for many value chains, among them the green gram, mangoes, honey, indigenous chicken, beef, goat meat, minerals, textile, leather, and leather products, among others.
During the event, the best cooperative societies in Kitui County were recognized with trophies and certificates. Univision Sacco received the award for the overall best performing cooperative, followed by Bestrock Sacco and Kinathi Sacco in that order.
The award for the best urban Sacco went to Univision Sacco, with Seu Sacco coming in second. Bestrock Sacco was honoured as the best rural Sacco, while Kimuto Women’s Sacco received the award for the best women’s Sacco. Kwa Vonza Boda Boda Sacco was recognized as the best boda boda society, and Kinathi Sacco won the award for the best matatu Sacco in loaning.
Kitui Yatta B2 Ranching Cooperative Society was named the best ranching cooperative society in the county. Other top-performing cooperative societies included Kitui Teachers Housing Cooperative Society Limited, awarded as the best housing cooperative society; Kinatwa Sacco, recognized as the best improved Sacco in governance; and Mukali Beekeepers and Green Grams Women Sacco, which received the second best improved Sacco in governance award. The Mwiyiki Farmers Cooperative Society received the most vibrant Sacco award, while Banana Consumers Women Sacco was awarded the title of most resilient Sacco.
