Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii has urged county residents and stakeholders to adopt the Cooperative model as a means to build a better future for all.
During his address to cooperative leaders at the inaugural Eldoret City Cooperative Leaders Convention Forum recently, which was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya, the governor emphasized the crucial role cooperatives play in economic development and community empowerment.
The forum, themed “Cooperative Build a Better Future for All through Governance and Value Addition,” attracted hundreds of cooperative leaders from over 700 societies, with several top performers receiving awards.
“My administration has organized tours and benchmarks for farmers to demonstrate the successes we can achieve through cooperative efforts,” he said.
He highlighted the construction of 46 milk coolers operated by various farmer cooperatives in the county, illustrating a success story that reflects the collaborative spirit of Uasin Gishu.
Governor Bii also requested the Cabinet Secretary to provide local farmers with coffee pullers to enhance their productivity and quality of produce, stressing the need to boost the capacity of local farmers for sustainable growth.
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Oparanya, the chief guest, noted that cooperatives have been instrumental in growing Kenya’s economy and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He discussed the fundamental principle of cooperatives as voluntary collaboration, urging cooperative management to prioritize the welfare of members over personal interests.
The CS emphasized the significance of free and fair elections within cooperatives and encouraged active member participation in governance.
“Capacity building for members and cooperative leadership is essential to enable informed decision-making. I also call on all cooperatives to embrace ICT to streamline operations and enhance service delivery,” he added.
CECM for Agriculture Edward Sawe, representing his counterpart for Cooperatives Martha Cheruto, echoed the importance of good governance within cooperatives, noting that effective governance allows farmers to lead decent lives and improve their livelihood prospects.
The event concluded with a call for all farmers in Uasin Gishu County to join cooperatives in order to fully harness the benefits of collective action. The event was well-attended by various county leaders, including County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale, CECMs, COs, directors, and staff.
By David Kipkorir
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