By Peter Otuoro
Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) has encouraged Cooperative Societies to have a long-term strategic plan to act as a gateway to the development of Cooperative societies in Rift Valley.
Rift Valley KUSCCO Manager Stephen Makori said the strategic plans will enable them improve on their strengths and opportunities as they minimize threats and weaknesses.
He was speaking at Kuntse Hotel during Nakuru County’s Ushirika Day celebrations.
The manager said that many cooperative societies have failed because of lack of long term strategic plans, which are essential to the success of any organization.
Makori also encouraged all categories of Cooperatives to conduct regular trainings of officials and members.
“Regular training and benchmarking will build trust, goodwill and strong bonds, as well as add knowledge and skills,” said Makori.
He also encouraged big cooperative societies to nurture upcoming ones to enable them overcome ordinary day to day challenges.
“Large Cooperative societies should act like a parent by nurturing upcoming Cooperatives on the technical know- how to enable them grow fast and become successful,” said Makori.
The unionist urged Cooperative societies to invest in research and innovation to allow them cope with emerging global issues and trends.
“Research and innovations will enable Cooperative societies to know their core duties and improve their services, besides transforming from the old ways of management,” said Makori.
Cooperative societies were also reminded to re-engineer their products to meet the changing demands of their clients.
Saccos to focus more on their specific niches, dairy societies were told to establish milk processing plants to add value to their product as a way of increasing earnings and creating employment.
On the same note, he urged housing cooperative societies to invest near institutions of learning as the demand for hostel accommodation was rising each year.
