Kenya’s Cooperative Journey: Where It Began
Kenya’s cooperative movement has a history spanning nearly a century.
Formal regulation of cooperative societies began in 1931 with the enactment of the Cooperative Societies Ordinance of 1931, which sought to bring structure and oversight to the operations of cooperative societies.
In 1932, the Cooperative Societies (Registration) (Amendment) Ordinance further strengthened the legal framework governing registration and supervision.
At the time, cooperative affairs were administered under the Office of the Attorney General, then headed by Mr. S. W. P. Forster Sutten.
From these early foundations, Kenya’s cooperative movement has grown into a major pillar of the country’s social and economic development.
Nearly a century of cooperation. A legacy worth remembering.
29 Years, Several Ministries: The Journey of Kenya’s Cooperatives
Inside the Changing Cooperative Administration
Kenya’s cooperative movement has undergone several administrative changes over the years, reflecting the evolving role of cooperatives in the country’s economic development.
1997–2002: Cooperatives were managed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as a department.
2002–2012: The Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing was established, placing greater emphasis on value chains and market access.
2012: Cooperatives became a section within the Ministry of Industry and Investment.
2016: Through Presidential Executive Order No. 1 of May 2016, cooperatives were placed under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives as a State Department.
2018: Cooperatives moved under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, again as a State Department.
Today: Cooperatives are under the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, highlighting their importance in supporting enterprise development, financial inclusion, job creation and economic growth.
The cooperative sector continues to evolve, while remaining a key pillar of Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
According to Mary Kiema in the 80’s there was the Ministry of Cooperative development (MOCD) .In the 70’s it was a department in the Ministry of culture and social services
