Cooperative Societies in Uasin Gishu County have been urged to uphold principles of prudent management, transparency and accountability of member’s savings to inspire confidence for posterity of the movement.
Local Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim told officials running the societies to adhere to the ethical standards to attract more investment and unlock the potentials in the sector.
The Governor made the observation in a speech delivered by his Deputy, Evans Kapkea during the 104th International Co-operative Day under the theme, “Co-operatives for a Peaceful World” at the County Headquarters in Eldoret.
He emphasized the importance of good governance in cooperative societies, commending those recognized during the celebrations for maintaining high standards of accountability, transparency and regulatory compliance.
He announced that the County has recorded significant growth in its cooperative movement, with the number of registered cooperative societies rising from 864 to 925 over the past year, while membership has increased from 145,200 to about 221,000.
The County Boss emphasized that cooperatives remain key drivers of economic inclusion, shared prosperity and peaceful communities.
The governor said the county’s cooperative sector has accumulated assets worth approximately Sh7.63 billion, while its annual turnover has grown to Sh3.64 billion, describing the figures as evidence of improved livelihoods and expanded economic opportunities for residents.
“These are not just statistics. They represent transformed livelihoods, empowered families and renewed hope for our people,” he said.
Governor Bii said his administration has prioritized strengthening cooperatives, arguing that organized farmers and entrepreneurs form the backbone of a resilient local economy.
He noted that through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), more than Sh86 million has been invested in 60 cooperatives across the county. The funding has supported grants, acquisition of modern equipment, installation of milk cooling facilities, value addition initiatives and access to affordable financing.
The county government is also investing in strategic value addition facilities targeting key agricultural value chains, including coffee, potatoes, dairy, animal feeds and poultry processing.
Governor Bii highlighted ongoing investments across various sub-counties, including warehouses at the County Aggregation and Industrial Park, potato processing facilities, dairy processing plants, feed milling factories, avocado packing facilities and poultry projects aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes through local processing and improved market access.
He said the projects are designed to enable farmers to earn more from every harvest by processing and marketing quality products closer to home.
He urged cooperative societies to embrace sound governance, continuous member education and modern information and communication technology systems to attract more young people into the cooperative movement.
Governor Bii further encouraged farmers to invest in high-value enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, potatoes, avocados and poultry, assuring them of continued county support through quality farm inputs, improved infrastructure and market linkages.
“As we celebrate today, let us remember that cooperatives are more than financial institutions. They are engines of unity, dignity and shared prosperity,” he said.
He noted that strong cooperatives help reduce poverty, create employment opportunities, strengthen food security and contribute to peaceful communities.
The governor congratulated the award-winning cooperative societies and challenged all cooperatives in the county to strive for higher standards of performance, innovation and good governance as the county works towards building resilient communities and a prosperous future for all residents.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
