Office of the Commissioner for Cooperative DevelopmentÂ
The Cooperative Bill 2024 proposes the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner for Cooperative Development under the public service. The qualified person for the role should possess academic experience, competencies, and experience in cooperative management, as well as be a member of a professional body for cooperative practitioners, the Kenya Society of Professional Co-operators (KSPC).
The Commissioner will be responsible for the growth, development, and regulation of cooperatives and will recommend to the CS cooperative national framework and coordinate the implementation of intergovernmental relations mechanisms in the coop sector. They will also be required to establish and maintain a national cooperative research and information centre.
Office of the County Director for Cooperatives
The Office of the County Director for Cooperatives will operate under the county public service and will be well-qualified with competencies and experience in co-op management. The County Director will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of cooperatives, supervise the election of co-op leaders, promote value addition, establish and maintain a county research and information centre, facilitate collaboration and linkages between primary and secondary cooperatives, and develop strategies for the improvement of governance and growth of cooperatives.
Inter-governmental Cooperative Relations Technical Forum
The Inter-governmental Cooperative Relations Technical Forum will be an unincorporated body consisting of the Commissioner, 47 County Directors for Cooperatives, the CEO of Authority (SASRA), an officer appointed by the Council of Governors, and a Representative of the apex cooperative (ex-officio member). The Technical Forum will be a platform for consultation for all stakeholders, formulate guidelines on the promotion and supervision of cooperatives, and meet at least twice a year.
