- Meru cooperatives are seeking Ksh2.2 billion to clear debts and revive key agricultural sectors.
- The funding would support coffee, dairy, cotton, avocado and Afya Millers Cooperative.
- Meru Dairy plans to expand processing capacity and diversify into fish feed and flour milling.
The cooperative movement in Meru County is appealing for Ksh2.2 billion to settle historical debts, revive the sector, and expand agricultural production and marketing chains across the region.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki made the appeal during the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union’s annual farmers’ field day, held on July 25, 2026. He said investing in farmers is key to driving economic growth.
The proposal allocates Ksh555 million to restore Afya Millers Cooperative, Ksh660 million to settle coffee sector debts, Ksh200 million for the second phase of the Meru Dairy feed mill, Ksh750 million for a cotton ginnery, and Ksh21 million to support avocado production and marketing.
Meru Cooperative Forum secretary Kenneth Gitonga said the investment would strengthen and improve farmers’ incomes. Meru Dairy, which launched a Ksh500 million animal feeds factory on Saturday, is seeking an additional Ksh200 million to expand fish feed production, human flour milling, silo storage, and grain drying.
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To meet expected daily deliveries, the processor also plans to expand its milk processing capacity from the current 780,000 litres. Gitonga said this would boost profits, fully satisfy demand across the co-op’s dominant market, and raise farmer incomes.
He added that the cooperative’s annual turnover had grown from Ksh9.3 billion in 2023 to Ksh20.1 billion in 2025.
The coffee sector is owed Ksh600 million, while Afya Millers carries debts exceeding Ksh200 million. These outstanding sums have driven the cooperative societies’ appeal for government funding to clear the arrears.
Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the government has proposed legal measures to address mismanagement in the sector.
By Bernard Magada
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